Former Wycombe Wanderers defender Joe Jacobson believes Norwich City may have a plan in place to replace Josh Sargent, whose future at Carrow Road is increasingly uncertain due to mounting interest from other clubs.
The U.S. international has been a standout performer in an otherwise disappointing season for Norwich, with Johannes Hoff Thorup’s side failing to replicate last season’s play-off semi-final run. With another year outside the Premier League looming, the Canaries face the real possibility of losing Sargent this summer, as he continues to attract suitors following consecutive prolific Championship campaigns.
Sargent initially joined Norwich in an £8 million move from Werder Bremen and struggled in his first Premier League season. However, he has since made steady progress in the Championship, becoming one of the division’s most reliable goal scorers. The 25-year-old netted 16 goals in just 30 appearances last season and has continued his impressive form this term, recording 12 goals and five assists from 21 starts despite injury setbacks.
Given his consistent performances, it’s no surprise that clubs are circling. Reports have linked Leeds United and high-flying Nottingham Forest with Sargent, along with several unnamed Premier League and Bundesliga sides. Norwich are said to value him between €15-20 million (£12.6-£16.8 million), a fee that many would consider a bargain for a player of his caliber. With the Canaries set to finish outside the top six, finding a suitable replacement could be a major challenge.
However, Jacobson believes Norwich have reason for optimism. Speaking to FLW, he pointed out that the club has successfully replaced key goal scorers before, citing Sargent’s ability to fill the void left by Teemu Pukki and Borja Sainz’s impressive goal-scoring exploits this season.
Pukki, a club legend, netted 88 goals and helped Norwich secure two Championship titles during his five-year spell before departing for Minnesota United in 2023. Sargent stepped up in his absence, ensuring the transition was relatively smooth. Meanwhile, Sainz has been the Championship’s top scorer this season with 17 goals and could be the next player to lead the attack—if he remains at Carrow Road.
Jacobson emphasized that Norwich have repeatedly found ways to replace departing goal scorers. “If a player does well and scores a lot of goals in the Championship, Premier League teams—especially newly promoted ones—will take notice,” he told FLW. “Sargent has been a consistent scorer, and losing him would be tough, but Norwich have done it before. They had Pukki, now they have Sainz, and there’s always another player ready to step up.”
Norwich Cannot Afford to Lose Both Sargent and Sainz
While Sargent’s departure seems increasingly likely given his consistency and the reported interest, Norwich must also brace for potential offers for Sainz. Though his form has dipped slightly in the second half of the season, the Spanish winger remains one of the Championship’s top attacking talents.
Earlier this season, clubs such as Villarreal, Athletic Club, Atlético Madrid, and Galatasaray were reportedly interested in Sainz. If similar offers emerge in the summer, Norwich could face an uphill battle to retain him. Losing both Sargent and Sainz would significantly weaken their promotion hopes for the 2025/26 season, making it crucial for the Canaries to hold on to at least one of their star forwards.
