Norwich City urged to seal deal for ‘outstanding’ star ahead of summer rebuild
Norwich, June 29, 2025 – As Norwich City prepares for a major summer overhaul under soon-to-be-appointed manager Liam Manning, Championship insiders believe the Canaries must act swiftly to secure one of the division’s most dynamic and exciting attacking talents – Blackburn Rovers’ Tyrhys Dolan.
A winger in demand
The 23‑year‑old winger, whose contract at Ewood Park expires this month, has been one of Blackburn’s standout performers this season. He amassed seven goals and six assists in 47 appearances, helping his side to a respectable seventh-place Championship finish . Dolan’s boss, Valerien Ismaël, confirmed that Blackburn have tabled a fresh contract, yet admitted the club could struggle to retain the free‑agent talent .
A former England Under‑20 international, Dolan has consistently expressed his ambition to play at the highest possible level. “It’s a short career, and I’ve always wanted to play at the top level,” he said. “At this point I’m a free agent with the belief in myself to perform anywhere” .
Norwich move makes sense
Norwich have reportedly made a formal approach, with Dolan now “high on Norwich’s list of targets” for this summer’s recruitment . The Canaries face the departure of key attacking figures Borja Sainz and Josh Sargent and urgently need fresh flair in wide areas. With Manning emerging as the favourite to replace Johannes Hoff Thorup — after reportedly having Norwich pay around £800,000 in compensation — time is of the essence .
If Norwich finalise Manning’s appointment, his collaboration with sporting director Ben Knapper and recruitment chief Lee Dunn could see Dolan as their first major addition — a statement signing to signal intent and ambition for 2025–26 .
Championship or Premier League?
Supporters and pundits alike believe Dolan deserves more than just Championship ambition. Former Blackburn fan pundit Simon Middlehurst has suggested a move to Norwich “would be a bit of a downgrade” and that the winger deserves a Premier League side or a top club in Scotland, such as Celtic or Rangers .
Similarly, pundits like Lee Hendrie have praised Dolan’s talent but noted occasional inconsistency. Still, Hendrie acknowledged that “the jump… a move away from Blackburn might just bring that out”, highlighting that “Norwich seem to recruit well, bring players in, and give them an identity” .
Blackburn fighting to hold on
Despite escalating interest, Blackburn have made efforts to keep Dolan, offering him fresh terms as Middlesbrough reportedly circle . Yet Blackburn’s attempts may be undermined by Dolan’s ambition: he wants top-flight football — and as a free agent, compensation fees due to his age are manageable for suitors.
Conclusion
As the summer transfer window looms, Norwich City’s pursuit of Tyrhys Dolan represents more than just signing a talented winger — it would signify their commitment to rebuild and ambition. If the Canaries don’t act fast, they risk missing out on a player whose technical quality, energy, and desire align perfectly with the demands of a promotion push — and one who could soon shine at the next level.
