On the last day of the summer transfer window, Norwich City and Sheffield United reached an agreement for Norwich to recruit Anis Ben Slimane on loan.
With the raid on Championship rivals Sheffield United, Norwich City strengthened their roster by snatching midfielder Anis Ben Slimane on loan late in the transfer window.
After the slide to the second division, the Tunisian was a little surplus to needs at Bramall Lane. Chris Wilder and many Steel City supporters believed that his departure was best for him because he had not impressed during his first season there.
At Carrow Road, Slimane is rapidly establishing himself, though.
When Norwich City played Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday, the midfielder was left out of the starting lineup. However, he entered the game in the second half and helped the Canaries run wild, scoring his first goal for the team in a 6-1 thumping of the Pilgrims.
Although Slimane is still taking some time to adjust, the Carrow Road supporters were very impressed with his performance off the bench.
A warm reminder
Some people might have overlooked the fact that Sheffield United and Norwich City agreed to include a buyout clause in Slimane’s summer loan agreement. According to local reporter Connor Southwell, Slimane may be signed for as little as £1.4 million, but if certain requirements are met, it might become mandatory.
Many people are thrilled about the possibility of permanently retaining Slimane, who has performed well in the first few days of his Canaries loan.
During his Tuesday night outing as a substitute, the former Brondby IF star made a fantastic midfield connection with Kenny McLean. Johannes Hoff Thorup may have been able to create a remarkable midfield combination if Emiliano Marcondes had been allowed to attack.
Judged harshly at Bramall Lane?
Slimane and everyone else at Sheffield United had a difficult 2023–2024 season. Following his summer transfer, he found it difficult to transition to Premier League play, and his availability was further restricted by injury.
But like several other players in the team, he might have deserved a chance to establish himself with the team in the Championship before a deal was made to possibly let him move permanently after just a year.
But Norwich City won’t gripe. They stand to gain from this potentially difficult call to make such a trade, and they will be hoping that Slimane continues to improve as he catches up.
He will be keen to keep his spot in the Canaries’ starting lineup, but he will need to continue playing at the encouraging levels he has recently displayed due to fierce competition for a spot.
Time will tell what Slimane and Norwich City have in store for the remainder of the season, but the Blades may end up regretting the summer trade they made.
