Norwich City now trail the Championship play-off spots by just two points, thanks to a commanding 5-1 win over Swansea City and a narrow 1-0 victory against fellow top-six contenders Watford last Saturday.
This weekend, the Canaries welcome Derby County to Carrow Road—a fixture that presents a prime opportunity to grab another three points. The Rams, having lost their last seven Championship matches and now languishing in the relegation zone, are likely to offer little resistance.
Norwich were also active during the January transfer window. They secured loan deals for Lewis Dobbin and Jacob Wright from Premier League sides Aston Villa and Manchester City, respectively. Additionally, Johannes Hoff Thorup’s side finalized permanent signings for former Brighton youth player Ruairi McConville and ex-Slavia Prague winger Matej Jurasek.
Ahead of the crucial closing stages of the Championship season, Football League World asked Norwich fan pundit Zeke Downes which player he expected to attract the most summer transfer interest and why. Downes singled out Borja Sainz, saying:
“I’d imagine that Borja Sainz will be the player drawing the most attention at the season’s end. He’s built a reputation for scoring goals—even as a winger, which is rather unusual. Although he’s currently out of action, he’ll be back soon. If he can recapture the form he showed at the start of the season, I expect the interest in him to surge. I’d even estimate that his potential transfer fee could be around £20m to £25m. With that kind of money, we could strengthen several areas of the squad, whether that means adding another striker, securing another winger, or even bringing in a goalkeeper. Of course, all of this depends on him regaining his early-season form and avoiding injuries, which are critical factors when such hefty fees are involved.”
Sainz’s quality is underscored by the fact that he remains the Championship’s top scorer despite not featuring since January 4 due to a six-game ban. With 15 goals in 26 league appearances this season, his record is impressive for someone operating as a winger.
Having signed a three-year deal before last season, Sainz is under contract until the summer of 2026, suggesting Norwich aren’t in a rush to sell him. However, if Hoff Thorup’s men can command the kind of fee Downes anticipates, the Norfolk club might be tempted to cash in on their star player. At just 23 years old and with interest already emerging from high-profile La Liga clubs like Villarreal and Atletico Madrid—as well as Turkish giants Galatasaray—a lucrative summer transfer for Sainz is well within the realm of possibility.
