After a disappointing 2024–25 Championship season thus far, Norwich City will undoubtedly be eager to make a move in the January transfer window.
Though it already seems improbable, Johannes Hoff Thorup’s team has been erratic this season and will require reinforcements if they hope to make a strong run for the top six.
One could legitimately say that the Canaries’ depth in most areas of the pitch isn’t up to par, and Hoff Thorup has also had to deal with injuries to important players like Marcelino Nunez and Josh Sargent.
Of course, keeping the services of star winger Borja Sainz, who has carried the Canaries on his back all season and is still the division’s leading scorer, is the key priority for January. He will undoubtedly draw interest, and Norwich will probably have a difficult time holding onto the Spaniard at Carrow Road until the end of the season at the latest.
The work needed to hang onto Sainz shouldn’t, however, take Norwich’s attention away from the incomings who must be approved next month. Football League World considers what their three-man transfer shortlist ought to look like in light of this.
Godo Martial
The dynamic Fulham winger Martial Godo is one player who ought to be considered before January.
In his debut season of senior football, the 21-year-old returned four goals and five assists during a promising loan stint with League One team Wigan Athletic last season.
Godo is a direct and cunning player who can be a serious threat to opposing full-backs, as Manchester United discovered during their FA Cup match in January.
In the summer, Godo was strongly linked to a loan transfer to Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers, but the deal fell through.
But since then, he has only played five minutes of football for Fulham and is way down Marco Silva’s hierarchy, so it looks like he will go in January, either permanently or on loan.
It is time for Norwich to investigate the latter. They only need to start planning for when Sainz goes, which will undoubtedly be at the conclusion of the season if he stays past January, if they haven’t already.
Godo would be a fascinating long-term replacement for the Spanish star, and it might be best to sign him in January so he has enough time to gradually establish himself before taking Sainz’s spot next season.
Omobamidele, Andrew
Reuniting with Andrew Omobamidele should be Norwich’s top goal when it comes to strengthening the backline during the winter transfer window.
Before winning a move to Nottingham Forest last year for £11 million, the Republic of Ireland international began his career in Norfolk and played for the team for 55 games.
But for Omobamidele, who played a bit-part role in his first season with the Reds but has been virtually nonexistent this season, it hasn’t worked out.
Nuno Espirito Santo has only made one appearance this season, in an EFL Cup match against Newcastle United back in August. However, considering Forest’s recent success and the abundance of choices available to him, it’s unlikely that he will make an impact anytime soon.
Given that Daniel Farke, the former manager of the Canaries, expressed interest in the 22-year-old at Leeds United in the summer, it is not shocking that he is apparently being lined up for a loan departure.
He needs to restart his career, and going back to Norwich on loan would be a great opportunity to do so.
Despite their offensive intentions, the Canaries have one of the weakest defences in the division, which needs to be fixed if they are to improve in the second half of the season.
If the centre defender returns on loan in January, he might have the same influence as when he was a standout player for Norwich in the Championship.
Isaiah Jones
Both of the aforementioned players would be wise short- and long-term investments, but Throup’s January shopping list should truly start with Middlesbrough’s Isaiah Jones.
According to an exclusive report by Football League World, the 25-year-old wants to leave Riverside Stadium after the year ends because he has fallen behind Ben Doak, who is on loan from Liverpool, in Michael Carrick’s hierarchy.
Although Jones has been on the sidelines lately, FLW is aware that there is interest in signing him and that Thorup could do much worse than to target the quick wide player.
At his peak, Jones is one of the most exciting wide players in the Championship and attracted interest from Norwich among several other suitors last season.
Jones has rapid speed and excels in one-on-one situations, but he is technically skilled enough to combine those traits with a final pass in front of goal. Jones can play as a raiding right-sided wing-back or farther forward wide of a front three.
At the moment, Norwich’s right-hand side is a serious worry. It is unlikely that Jones would be filling in for Thorup because Jack Stacey and Kellen Fisher are both reliable choices in his backline. However, this season, numerous wide-right players have been tried and tested without performing well.
Forson Amankwah, Christian Fassnacht, Onel Hernandez, and Kaide Gordon are among those who have either flattered to deceive or are not part of Thorup’s objectives. Norwich might give Jones a starting spot right away because the Dane regularly switches up the team and is obviously not persuaded of the present candidates.
Jones, 25, still has a lot to give, and his thrilling performance during the 2021–2022 season for Boro cannot be overlooked. Although he still made an impression on Teesside the last time out, his career has since kind of stopped. Norwich would be the ideal venue for him to find his spark again.
If Norwich can close the deal, Jones might be a game-changing addition, and his acquisition would be a true statement of purpose.
