Norwich City’s season appears to be winding down as the final months approach, shifting focus toward the upcoming summer transfer window.
While fans may hope for marquee signings and the retention of key players, Championship clubs must face the reality of expiring contracts, financial regulations, and the departure of loan players.
Football League World has assessed what a realistic yet productive summer transfer window could look like for Norwich.
Cashing In on Borja Sainz
Although no supporter wants to see their club part with top talent, the financial realities of modern football often make such sales unavoidable. A hefty transfer fee can be more valuable than the contributions of a single player, especially if reinvested wisely to strengthen multiple positions.
This makes it likely that Norwich will have to part ways with one of their attacking stars — Borja Sainz or Josh Sargent.
Sainz has arguably become Norwich’s talisman this season, a role once held by Sargent. Both players, now entering their prime at 24 and 25 respectively, are likely to attract significant interest, particularly from Premier League clubs. Leeds United have been strongly linked with Sargent, with a potential reunion with former Norwich manager Daniel Farke on the cards. Meanwhile, Sainz has caught the eye of several European clubs, including Celtic, Galatasaray, and teams in Spain. Securing a substantial fee for Sainz would be a significant win for Norwich.
Holding Onto Josh Sargent
While losing one star may be inevitable, Norwich could look to retain the other. Given that Sainz was a free transfer ahead of the 2023/24 season, his sale would generate a larger profit compared to the potential fee for Sargent.
Norwich could also use interest in both players to spark a bidding war, driving up the price.
Sargent, who initially struggled after joining Norwich, has since developed into a reliable striker well-suited to the club’s playing style. Therefore, retaining him would make strategic sense, especially if funds from Sainz’s sale can be used to strengthen the squad.
Securing Jacob Wright Permanently
Stability is essential in football, but EFL clubs often grapple with high squad turnover. Last summer, Norwich brought in 13 new faces to replace 13 departures, creating a challenging environment for manager Johannes Hoff Thorup in his first season.
To build continuity for next season, Norwich will likely aim to retain as much of their squad as possible. One key target is Jacob Wright, who is currently on loan from Manchester City. Norwich holds an option to make the midfielder’s move permanent, and with Wright impressing during his loan spell, securing his services for the long term seems a logical move.
Bringing Back Lewis Dobbin
Similarly, Norwich has shown interest in retaining attacker Lewis Dobbin beyond his loan spell. Despite his time at the club being hampered by injury, Dobbin has stayed in Norfolk to complete his rehabilitation — a clear indication of Norwich’s desire to keep him.
Thorup has hinted at the possibility of another loan deal with Aston Villa or even a permanent transfer, underlining the club’s commitment to maintaining stability despite Dobbin’s limited game time since joining in January.
Signing Callum Doyle on a Permanent Deal
Another loan player Norwich could target for a permanent move is Callum Doyle. Like Wright, Doyle is on loan from Manchester City and has become a key figure in Norwich’s defense.
At 21, Doyle has plenty of potential but may be growing frustrated by a lack of upward progress in recent seasons. Last year, he was a squad player during Leicester City’s Championship-winning campaign, but the Foxes ultimately opted against signing him permanently.
Manchester City reportedly valued Doyle at £10 million last summer — a fee Norwich might be able to afford if they secure a significant sum for either Sainz or Sargent.
