With the hiring of new manager Johannes Hoff Thorup, Norwich City entered a new chapter at the start of the 2024–25 campaign.
On the first day of the Championship season, the Canaries lost to newly promoted Oxford United, giving Thorup’s reign the worst conceivable start.
However, things quickly improved at Carrow Road when, three days after losing at Oxford, the Norfolk team overcame League One Stevenage in the EFL Cup.
The Canaries’ momentum was partly halted with a 4-0 loss to Premier League Crystal Palace in the second round of the EFL Cup, but Thorup would go on to have a three-game unbeaten run in the Championship, including his first second-tier success over Coventry City.
Norwich then had a mostly successful September, which included a significant 4-1 win over fellow play-off aspirants Watford, as well as a 3-2 victory against Derby County.
However, since then, the Norfolk team has had trouble staying consistent, winning just one game in October—albeit a thrilling 4-0 victory over Hull City.
After suffering three consecutive losses to Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday, and Bristol City to start November, Thorup and company will have been relieved to see the start of the international break.
Football League World examines what their ideal January transfer window may entail as the Canaries seek greater consistency in their pursuit of a play-off berth.
Borja Sainz remains
First and foremost, Thorup has to keep his best player, who has surpassed ten goals and provided ten assists so far this season. His hat-trick in the Derby victory demonstrated his quality.
In a recent 2-1 loss to Cardiff, Borja Sainz also scored for his team, demonstrating his ability to provide results even when they are not playing well.
Galatsaray is interested in the Spaniard, according to Turkish publication Sabah. This might be a threat because Gabriel Sara was acquired from the Canaries by the Süper Lig giants during the summer, and he is playing well for Okan Buruk’s team.
Given Sainz’s propensity for prolific play, losing a player of his calibre would be disastrous for the Canaries’ hopes of qualifying for the playoffs.
Richard Kone signs
In addition to Sainz, Norwich’s primary goal threat is Josh Sargent, a striker who returned from a protracted absence due to ankle surgery to produce an outstanding return of 16 goals and two assists in just 28 Championship games last season.
The USA international was back to his best after just 12 second-tier games this season, tallying four goals and dishing out five assists, but he has regrettably experienced yet another injury setback.
Because Sargent is so prone to injuries, the Canaries need a reliable backup in case their star striker misses any more games.
Richard Kone of Wycombe Wanderers, who has been playing well in League One this season and scored a hat-trick against Peterborough United in October, would be one such choice.
His services would be a long-term investment, and even though he is only 21 years old, he might be prepared to go to the Championship.
Nikitscher Tamas signs
Tamas Nikitscher, a TE midfielder for Kecskemeti, is a target for the Canaries, but Middlesbrough and Coventry, two other Championship teams, will compete for his services, according to Hungarian publication Nemzeti Sport.
If Thorup and company can secure a contract for the 25-year-old, it would be a significant victory in the transfer market to stave off second-tier suitors for an international player who played for Hungary against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands last month.
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