The medical was due to take place yesterday or today so it seems that it will take place out there. His recovery from an ankle operation is due to go on into August and it seems now that he'll stay out there for 2-3 weeks to settle his affairs before arriving in the fine city. The work visa has already been sorted as he qualifies for 28 points, which is more than enough. https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...ch-transfer-news-rumours-gabriel-sara-9133320 http://sportwitness.co.uk/norwich-discussing-last-details-get-deal-done-final-impasse-clubs/
https://www.pinkun.com/sport/norwic...ch-transfer-news-rumours-gabriel-sara-9133320 Personal terms agreed, work permit sorted, main stumbling block seems to be payment structure.
Danel Sinani seems to be settling into pre-season well in spite of returning late because of international duties. It's like a new signing really. https://www.canaries.co.uk/content/...ings-better-but-im-happy-with-the-performance Smith's views on Danel and the other loan players returning: “It's also been important for the loan players. I’ve been really impressed with Danel, who’s been on loan at Huddersfield all season. He’s got a really good picture when the ball arrives, plays a one-two touch really well and has a really good delivery from set pieces. Onel has made his mark in training already, as well as Jordan (Hugill) and Sam (McCallum), who’ve adjusted really well to the pace of the squad. Isaac Hayden trained the first week with us but he got a little bit of swelling on the knee, so we were a bit concerned about that and we're just resting him at the moment. The international guys will have a little bit more work to do to catch up, but they’ve had a shorter break than the others.”
Barnsley sold ex-Norwich striker Carlton Morris to Luton recently, so good for them to get another done of our players
I noticed the Morris deal and meant to look up whether Norwich had a sell-on clause agreed. Couldn't find anything, but 10% of the rumoured £2m fee might buy us a prospect, which would be a bonus.
If Gabriel Sara becomes our 2nd signing, I wonder how soon it will be until we hear "Que, Sara, Sara, whatever will be will be..." being sung round Carrow Road
I'd prefer a version of Liverpool's Salah song. "Gabe Sara, Gabe Sara, Gabe Sara. Running down the wiiing. Sa-Ra Ra Ra Ra Raaaaa. The Brazilian King"
Just read an article by a South American football expert who says Sara is "a work in progress" who is dynamic and knows when, and where, to enter the box in attack. This is likely to draw cover away from Pukki, giving him more room. He did say that he is very different to Buendia, so don't expect a like for like replacement.
Pady Davitt has picked up the same source in his EDP article: https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...el-sara-hodge-aranga-transfer-insight-9136102 At 23, Sara should be a fairly advanced 'work in progress', but not yet the 'finished article'. What impresses me is his close control and this comment is particularly interesting: "He can play the eight, the six or the 10 but to be honest you don’t want that. He is not a stop-gap type of player. He is a player who is important on transition and winning those second balls. You can see from a few goals Sao Paulo have scored where the ball starts at the back, they attack with pace, and he arrives in the box. He understands where to run and who to run off." That suggests that he could play any or all of the 6, 8 or 10 roles by picking up the ball at the back and play it out or pass it to others using his pace and skills to find space between the CBs and FBs. He could be that game changing player we often lacked last season and he should be even more effective in the Championship as he improves the links to Pukki and the other attacking players. He can defend as well and has a good record in individual duals, takeaways and interceptions. As Arrango points out, he's played 119 games in the last two seasons so fitness and stamina shouldn't be a problem once he recovers from the ankle injury.
It will be nice to just have a functioning midfield compared to last season, with players that are specialists for their roles rather than doing bits of pieces of each. Sara will help by adding that front foot press and hopefully an attacking instinct. Last season we had no one particularly good at either defending or attacking, this season we will hopefully have Hayden as a good defensive option and Sara as a good forward thinking player.
This time last year we thought the new signings would make a massive impact. We hope Smith and Shakespeare know what they're doing, but we won't know until well into the season. Hayden and Sara have to get over their injuries first.
Don't recall any megabucks (by Norwich standards) signings working out from Wolswinkel, Naismith , Rashica, Tzolis or Sargent it's usually the cheap bargains that have come good. Young players are a massive gamble but the highest return if it works out.
