The fee offered by Porto for Norwich City forward Borja Sainz has now been disclosed.
During Liam Manning’s first press conference as Norwich head coach, it was confirmed that the 24-year-old attacker had attracted offers from clubs in both Italy and Portugal. The teams behind those bids have since been identified as Portuguese giants Porto and Serie A champions Napoli, though interest in Sainz extends beyond them. Clubs in Spain, Turkey, and even within England are also said to be monitoring the Spanish winger.
Porto’s Bid for Sainz Confirmed
Norwich sporting director Ben Knapper acknowledged that the club had received multiple formal offers for Sainz, who finished the 2024/25 season as the Championship’s joint-second highest scorer. However, Knapper made it clear that none of the proposals matched the club’s valuation.
“We’ve had several official bids. There are plenty of clubs circling,” he said. “But none of those offers meet our valuation. This club has a history of securing good value in player sales. Selling is part of the model, but only if it makes sense for us — that hasn’t changed.”
According to Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph, Porto’s initial offer for Sainz was £12.7 million. The Portuguese side were hoping to wrap up a deal ahead of the Club World Cup, which begins this Sunday. However, reports indicate they are likely to return with a new bid later this summer. Napoli, now led by Antonio Conte, are also expected to maintain their interest.
Norwich May Struggle to Keep Sainz
Local outlet The Pink Un has reported that Sainz is widely expected to leave Carrow Road this summer. Fellow star forward Josh Sargent may also be on the move, with AS Roma reportedly considering a bid.
Speaking on the possibility of losing both key attackers, Manning said: “You have to think short and long term. These are high-quality players at this level, and of course there’s going to be interest. But again, any decision has to benefit the club.”
Time Might Be Right to Sell
Interest in Sainz surged after a prolific start to last season, during which he scored 15 goals before Christmas. That form attracted attention from La Liga clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Girona. Now, The Pink Un claims Athletic Bilbao are leading the race for his signature.
Given the strong demand and Sainz’s desire to play at the highest level, Norwich may find it difficult to convince him to stay. And with just a year left on his current deal, the club risks losing him for less — or for nothing — if they don’t act soon.
Additionally, Sainz’s goal tally dropped significantly in the second half of the season, with only three goals after the new year. That inconsistency could mean this summer represents Norwich’s best — and possibly last — opportunity to cash in at peak value.
