In other News some transfer gossip on Newsnow is just made up to attract clicks. I know most of you are too thick to work this out for yourselves only I (and Robby) am truly enlightened the rest of you are mere mortals .
Listening to Michael Bailey on another Athletic podcast today, it was interesting to hear him reiterate that any CB signing is intended to be a first choice option, looking to at the very least compete with Hanley and Gibson, ideally usurping them. Despite the ever decreasing time left in the window, it sounds like they haven't switched focus to just getting a backup in yet. The EDP have looked at free agent CBs: https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/canaries-ncfc-free-agents-centre-back-8247046 Nobody that really stands out to me as a likely option.
Seen a rumour that FC Rostov have turned down offers from Norwich and Newcastle for Mathias Normann, a 25-year old DM previously at Brighton. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mathias-normann/profil/spieler/257805
I would think that Scott Dann might the best choice from that list. At 34, he's still younger than Cahill and would suit our style of play.
If we can afford to bid for Mathias Normann, let's borrow £10m from next year's budget and try for Anguissa at Fulham. I'm not sure about his attitude, though, because it sounds like he thinks he's too good to play in the Championship.
Ozan Tufan has joined Watford. Bit of a shame to see a quality DM we were apparently interested in go to a rival.
Supposedly we made a €3m for Mbaye Diagne of Galatasaray. I wonder if that's old news or entirely false, not sure why we'd be going after a 29 year old striker who previously scored 3 goals in 16 games for WBA in the Prem. Has scored for fun in Turkey since though. 25 goals in 43 for Galatasaray.
On the Diagne front I would be more interested in his WBA record in the PL than Turkish league. Not impressive and at 29 years of age smacks of panic which DF/SW do not do. Pukki may have run his impressive race as he seems more likely to score at Championship level than PL. Perhaps we need to play at least 2 up front?
Playing 2 up front is not the favoured DF model, but this may be the way forward so that we can stay in PL. Cant see Pukki working to effect as a lone striker in PL. We seem to have spent at least £50m already this season which must be a club record. Only hope this investment proves successful
Sargent playing on the right with either Cantwell or Rashica at AM is more likely, so that Sargent's offensive and defensive strengths can both come into play, but that would be at the expense of the 3 man midfield.
No, but there's news of a sort: https://sport24.ru/news/football/2021-08-19-istochnik-rostov-otkazal-norvichu-v-arende-normanna The Matthias Normann link from yesterday has resurfaced with more details. Supposedly we offered a €2m loan fee to Rostov for their DM, with an agreement to buy the player for €14m+€2m add-ons. The issue was that the purchase was optional, with Norwich to make the decision in 12 months time. That would mean Rostov losing one of their best players for the season, with no guaranteed income above the €2m loan fee with which to find a replacement. Apparently talks continue, so perhaps we'll find a compromise. Maybe a larger loan fee and a reduced fee to buy him next summer?
https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2021/2-premier-league-clubs-machinating-for-mahdi-camara/ This looks pretty NCFC...
