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Transfer Rumour: Jonathan Rowe attracting Premier League attention

Tottenham Hotspur could be battling with Brighton for the signature of Norwich City winger Jonathan Rowe in the upcoming January transfer window.

That's according to reports from the Daily Mail, who have stated in their print edition that the 20-year-old is of interest to both clubs in the hunt to bolster their Premier League squads.

Negotiations have been delayed over a potential new contract for the Canaries' top goalscorer, whose current deal is set to run out in the summer of 2025. The club have an option to extend by a year until 2026, but were hoping to agree terms beyond that before a pause in discussions was mutually agreed.

Norwich are braced for interest in Rowe in January, but are under less pressure to sell after Mark Attanasio's intervention meant most of the club's debt was internalised.

The 2023 balance sheet was impacted by a lack of significant player sales, however, and there was a total debt attached to the club of £96million in those accounts.

New sporting director Ben Knapper has hinted at a level of financial support from Attanasio in readiness for the transfer window, with the American confirming City had looked into the signings of players to reduce the squad's age profile.

Rowe's departure would be a blow to Knapper's attempts to get that average age down, however, and mean another sale of a promising academy graduate.

The English under-21 international has scored 11goals this season, including a memorable derby day brace against Ipswich Town, and claimed two assists.

He hadn't even started a senior game going into the season, but made an instant impact as he curled home his side's first goal of the campaign in a 2-1 win over Hull in August.

 

Transfer Rumour: Burnley Striker Ashley Barnes - Deal Done!

It is understood and quoted in other media sources that Burnley striker Ashley Barnes will sign a two-year deal to become a Norwich City player from July 1

Barnes was shown around the Canaries' Colney training centre prior to their final-day 1-0 defeat to Blackpool, and has been reported to be a top target for sporting director Stuart Webber since his exit from Burnley was announced.

The Clarets striker will become a free agent when his contract expires on July 1, at which point he is set to officially become a Norwich City player.

According to transfer expert Alan Nixon, City were able to secure Barnes' signature due to the length of the deal. they were willing to offer him. Both Preston North End and Stoke were widely reported to have been tracking Barnes' situation, while Middlesbrough were supposedly also keen on a deal in the event that they fail to win the Championship play-offs.

The 33-year-old scored six league goals in 39 games last season, signing off with a goal against Cardiff as the Clarets broke the 100-point barrier for the campaign.

He's spent 10 years in Lancashire, having signed from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2013. He's made 293 appearances in that time, scoring 54 goals and earning three promotions to the Premier League.

Speaking to the Burnley Telegraph, Barnes recently said: "I’m as fit as a fiddle. Until the body says no then I’ll keep continuing to play and I want to keep continuing to play as long as possible.

"I still feel I can play in the Premier League, without a doubt. But it wasn’t to be here so it’s one of them. I’ll just have to go again and wherever I go, if it’s abroad, if it’s here, I want to win, I want to get promoted again, I want to get another challenge and see what’s what."

Transfer Rumour: Galatasaray eyeing permanent Milot Rashica move

Turkish Super Lig leaders Galatasaray are keen to make Milot Rashica's loan move from Norwich City into a permanent one this summer, according to Hurriyet.

Currently ahead of Fenerbahce in the domestic standings by six points, Gala have already set their sights on the summer window before the current campaign is even done, and they have clearly been impressed by the Kosovan winger's performances for the club in 2022-23.

They landed Rashica on a loan deal in September for the rest of the season a full week after the English transfer window closed, with then-Norwich manager Dean Smith deciding that the 26-year-old wasn't guaranteed to be a starter for him in the Championship despite playing in the first four league matches of the season.

Since arriving in Turkey, Rashica has been regularly appearing for Galatasaray and has notched four goals and four assists in all competitions.

The hierarchy at the Nef Stadium now want to bring him in on a full-time basis, and per reports from Turkey they are set to put €7 million (£6.15 million) on the negotiating table to the Canaries to try and get them to cash in on a player they reportedly paid €11 million to Werder Bremen for in the summer of 2021.

And Hurriyet expect the Norfolk outfit to accept the offer when the time comes after he fell out of favour in 2022 at Carrow Road, although there has been a change of head coach since with David Wagner replacing Smith in the dugout.

Adam Idah fit for Sheffield United clash

Norwich City have been handed an unexpected fitness boost ahead of this weekend’s clash against Sheffield United, with one of their strikers “ready to go” after recovering from a foot injury.

Adam Idah was originally expected to miss the clash against his side’s fellow promotion chasers, but was included alongside United’s John Egan in the Republic of Ireland squad over the international break.

Speaking ahead of Monday night’s tough clash against World Cup runners-up France in Dublin, Ireland boss Stephen Kenny said: “Adam Idah is fully fit. He is okay and absolutely ready to go. Yes, he comes into our plans,” said Kenny.

“He trained well [on Saturday] and he has been playing consistently for Norwich every week so he comes back into the squad.

Transfer News: Chelsea & Norwich Talks Continue over Alex Matos

Norwich remain in talks with Chelsea over the sale to the West London club of promising youngster Alex Matos, with Norwich due compensation once the transfer move goes through.

It was widely reported last week that Norwich were set to lose one of their best young talents, as the midfielder was training with the Londoners, and he even featured in a behind closed doors game for the Blues alongside N’Golo Kante, where he is understood to have the Blues' heirachy.

As such following that game the deal for the highly rated 18-year-old academy product is expected to happen, with the Pink’Un revealing that the ‘process to finalise the move is ongoing’.

The report also offers more insight into the financial aspects of the deal, as Norwich will be entitled to payment as per FIFA rules. Yet, the update confirms that discussions are ongoing between the two clubs on exactly how that will be structured, as Norwich can look for further incentives down the line depending on how Matos’ career progresses.

“It's understood Norwich will be entitled to compensation for Matos, but under the current rules they can negotiate a different deal with Chelsea as an alternative should they wish. That could be beneficial if it comes through various clauses that pay over a prolonged period rather than one lump sum.”

Matos, who signed his first professional deal at Carrow Road back in 2021, is the latest in a list of youngsters who have departed Norwich recently. Ruben Shakpole joined Aston Villa in a move that could be worth seven figures, whilst Kristian Hlynsson and Arlo Doherty are others who have joined other clubs as well.

Transfer rumour: Chelsea set to sign 18-year-old Norwich star Alex Matos

Chelsea are reportedly set to sign Norwich City's English wonderkid Alex Matos on a free transfer.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the Blues are closing in on securing a contract for Matos.

The versatile 18-year-old winger and midfielder, born in 2004, can join for nothing - although some add-ons are expected.

At Chelsea, the Englishman will link up with Jim Fraser's project to build a strong Under-21s team.

Head of youth development and recruitment Fraser identified Matos as the perfect candidate with bags of potential.

Norwich Set For James Maddison Windfall

Leicester City will have to pay a sum of money to Norwich City if James Maddison starts for England on Sunday evening, according to a report.

The attacking midfielder looks set to start for Gareth Southgate's Three Lions against Ukraine in Euro 2024 qualifying action at Wembley Stadium. It would be his first start for England and just his second cap, after playing 35 minutes in a 7-0 win over Montenegro back in 2019.

According to Pink Un, Maddison's first start for England will trigger a payment to Norwich City - an agreed add-on when Maddison moved from Carrow Road to King Power Stadium back in 2018.

Leicester paid £25million to Norwich for Maddison's services five years ago, and the attacking midfielder has gone from strength to strength, including being part of the team that won the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2021.

Reports suggest that Maddison will start for England in a front three alongside Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Tottenham striker Harry Kane.

Brendan Rodgers will be hoping his star man comes through the game unscathed after being plagued by a knee issue over the course of the season.

Competition for places hots up as Josh Sargent returns this weekend

Norwich City have their top goalscoring option back and available for selection again ahead of the final three matches of March’s fixture list.

Josh Sargent has been confirmed by manager David Wagner as being ready to return for the Canaries this weekend. The popular fans favourite has missed the last three matches due to an ankle injury, but is back with Norwich City taking on fellow promotion chasers Sunderland in English Football League Championship action.

“He [Sargent] is fully in contention, he’s trained for the last couple of sessions with the team,” Wagner said.

The U.S. men’s national team striker scored his 11th league goal of the season back on Feb. 14, but since missed matches against Birmingham City, Cardiff City, and Millwall. Sargent has been crucial to the Canaries attack this season, with him and Teemu Pukki both eclipsing double-digit goals so far.

Sargent’s return to action is a major boost with Norwich City facing Sunderland, Huddersfield Town and Stoke City before the March international break. The USMNT will also resume its Concacaf Nations League group stage schedule later this month with two final matches against Grenada and El Salvador on March 24th and 27th respectively.

Norwich City currently sit sixth in the league table, one point in front of Millwall for the last of the four promotion playoff spots.