Hoff Thorup on transfers: “Looking a little bit into the future for this club the ambition should be that we have a very, very great team and we can support that with two to three top players in every window,” said the Norwich head coach. So we should never be in a situation with a window where the turnover is too big, and we have to bring in too many new players and say goodbye to too many players. No, we should have that solid base in the team where we can add something top quality from outside. Of course maybe we need one two or three players more than that, I don't know, we have to find out but definitely we need a left back, but what is important is that a guy that we bring in should have the qualities, and then I prefer that we take our time and we find the right one instead of things that just go fast.” He also revealed that the search for Andy Hughes' successor is underway. https://www.pinkun.com/sport/norwic...-johannes-hoff-thorup-left-back-transfer-bid/
Looks like Frese is off to Verona: "Norwich City are set to miss out on transfer target Martin Frese, with the left-back choosing a move to Italy over joining the Canaries. Various reports have suggested he's close to signing for Serie A side Hellas Verona, and has flown over to complete a medical and make the deal happen." https://www.pinkun.com/sport/norwic...ty-transfer-news-martin-frese-chooses-verona/
I'm not sure a clear reason has been expressed, but it sounds like a combination of asking for too much money/playing time likely goes a long way to explaining it.
Both of those were probably factors, but also Sam wasn't well suited to Thorup's tactics, where the LB slots into a back 3 as the ball moves forward. Presumably, Knapper is now looking for a LB who's a better fit. Montóia made a good start at that yesterday and may provide a suitable backup similar to Fisher at RB. Montóia is actually 8 months older than Fisher as he turns 21 in September.
New rumour for Callum Doyle (LB/CB): https://thedeck.news/norwich-city-interested-in-loan-move-for-manchester-city-defender/
Breaking in the Pinkun now and close to being announced: "Norwich City are close to securing a season-long loan deal for Manchester City defender Callum Doyle. The move has been agreed in principle with the Premier League champions, although Norwich are waiting for it to be rubber stamped before confirming Doyle's signing. The 20-year-old can play at centre-back and left-back, addressing two of the Canaries' transfer priorities this summer. He's previously spent time on loan at Sunderland, Coventry and Leicester, where he won the Championship last term. More to follow..." https://www.pinkun.com/sport/norwic...ansfer-news-callum-doyle-man-city-loan-close/ Also here: https://insidefutbol.com/2024/07/16...ans-key-to-convincing-transfer-target/652179/
Although still only 20(21 in October), Callum Doyle has had 44 League One appearances for Sunderland, 46 Championship appearances for Coventry and another 23 Championship appearances for Leicester last season. Given that he can play LB and CB (6'1" tall), he seems to be a good fit for Thorup's LB role, which involves dropping into a back 3 as the ball is worked out from the back. If Montóia and/or Shipley (who can play CB/LB/LM) can make the grade as his backup, it could well be that the LB role is filled by this loan, as both Córdoba and Sørensen can also play there if need be.
Might Idah be staying or is this just transfer talk? https://www.celticway.co.uk/news/24...ltic-directly-addressed-norwich-city-manager/
We have supposedly had a €5m bid for Familicao LB Francisco Moura rejected. So we have money we are prepared to spend without first selling a player.
The Moura story seems unlikely given this reaction in the Pinkun: "The Record add that any hope of a deal being struck for Moura is now unlikely and cite that a source close to the Canaries has informed them that any prospect of the left back to Carrow Road is 'unlikely'. They are hoping to secure at least one new option in that area of the pitch this summer after both Sam McCallum and Dimi Giannoulis departed at the end of their respective contracts earlier in the summer. Manchester City youngster Callum Doyle is a target and there is hope that a season-long loan can be finalised, but City are waiting for the Premier League champions to officially sanction a move. There are also fears that a permanent offer from elsewhere could derail that pursuit. Financially, City do need to record at least one major sale this summer and are expected to target the loan and free transfer market in the meantime." https://www.pinkun.com/sport/norwich-city/24459732.francisco-moura-target-norwich-city---reports/
I was wondering if Idah may present a problem to Thorup. If he really wants to be at Glasgow Celtic, the manager may not get the best out of him.
That's a delicate balance certainly, but I 'm sure Knapper and Thorup can gauge that over the pre-season. Idah signed a long term contract knowing Sargent was ahead of him in the pecking order. The key is the club's valuation of him and whether Celtic are willing to match that. If they are, he goes; if not, he stays. Meanwhile it looks like it's us who will have to wait for Callum Doyle: https://insidefutbol.com/2024/07/19...-to-wait-to-get-hands-on-callum-doyle/652680/
John Iga, Head of Data and Innovation, has left the club by mutual consent. Was appointed in 2021. Another Attanasio/Knapper move in the on-going process of reshaping the backroom staff.
I guess from that Pinkun article I'm curious what they class as a major sale. Does £5-6m for Idah cover it, or do we need £15m+ for Sara, Rowe, etc? The other concern is targeting the free agent market when we're halfway through July and most free agents have been out of contract for 2-3 weeks now. How many free agents are still available which fit the age bracket we want and are eligible/keen to play in England's second tier? I had a look on transfermarkt, looking for free agents between 23-30, primarily focusing on UK nationals (or UK experienced) as a proxy for eligibility: Che Adams - surely too expensive, not a position we need a luxury addition. Kelechi Iheanacho - same deal Scott McKenna - 27 year old left CB released by Forest, had a good loan in Denmark last year. I imagine he'll go to a club with deeper pockets. Steven Alzate - 25 year old versatile CM released by Brighton after 40+ Prem appearances. Could be interesting? Paddy McNair Alexis Claude-Maurice - we know the club were interested a few years ago, attacking midfielder, good age. Jairo Riedewald - 27 year old DM, 80 Prem appearances for Palace There's not loads out there
Another possibility is unleashing abilities already available in the squad, as Samuel Seaman suggests about Fisher and Djedje so far: "Thorup's willingness to look outside the box is already clear, and in context his fresh categorisation of the 20-year-old (Fisher) was understandable. The driving runs he'd previously made by the sideline were suited to central ball progression, and his impressive ball control was even more useful in densely populated areas. So impactful was his performance in that Cobblers victory, the first thing on fans' lips upon exiting Sixfields was what the future held for him. His head coach clearly agreed with them, given the 63 midfield minutes Fisher played against Belgian champions Club Brugge five days later. It was fitting that his replacement on that day, ending in a similarly comfortable 3-0 win but this time for the home team, was Djedje. He strolled onto the pitch at The Nest and again looked comfortable with his surroundings, even given the step-up in opposition. In many ways he's exactly what those supporters have yearned for: a physically imposing, athletic, disciplined enough to protect the defence as well as winning the ball back as often as possible. Much of that comes down to his size, standing at six-foot two with an imposing frame." This may just be due to the necessities of pre-season as internationals return, but it'll be interesting to see what happens in today's game. https://www.pinkun.com/sport/norwic...ty-kellen-fisher-uriah-djedje-hopes-analysed/
New set piece coach: “He will really help drive our set piece process forward as a real specialist in that area, and he can also support the broader coaching group in all aspects of team and individual development. We’re all excited to welcome Nick into our club and to start working with him to achieve our goals.” https://www.canaries.co.uk/content/stanley-appointed-as-coach
