Norwich City have, as you already know, been linked with a plethora of names this summer and the list goes from the sublime to the ridiculous.
As I’ve written before, I’m trying to keep a lid on things and if they seem too outlandish then they’ll only get a passing mention rather than an in-depth look.
With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the recent links along with the general state of the Canary Nation.
In terms of transfer links in the last week, and let’s be honest, that’s why you clicked on this article, there have been a few in recent days that seem to have a bit of substance behind them.
On Saturday morning, we brought you a little more news on out of contract Hannover 96 Captain, Marvin Bakalorz.
The defensive midfielder and all-round midfield beast is currently weighing up his options after Hannover we’re relegated to Bundesliga 2. Hannover have offered him a new contract and Hamburg, who also play in Germany’s second tier, are offering Bakalorz more money to sign for them.
There’s also a big link to Norwich City and you can read the whole thing here.
There’s also a fairly decent sounding link to Swiss international striker, Josep Drmic who is out of contract at Borussia Monchengladbach.
Drmic is 26 and signed from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 for a reported €10m fee and seems set to leave his current club this summer after an injury-stricken 2018/19.
This report comes from the German sports giant, Bild and I haven’t seen any other clubs linked with him other than us, you can read all about that one here.
Then we had a slightly odd link to Paderborn left-back, Jamilu Collins. I say “slightly odd” because I don’t really think we need cover at left-back.
Jamal Lewis is the main man there and don’t forget that City signed Philip Heise in January. Heise joined from Dynamo Dresden but is yet to make an appearance for the Canaries and arguably fell foul of the homegrown players rule, which seems to have kept him off the bench too.
According to this report from completesports.com Norwich are keen to sign the Nigerian international before the start of the African Cup Of Nations next week.
As I say, it doesn’t look like we need cover at left-back but who knows what the situation is with Heise. Has he failed to settle in England? Does he just not look up to it? Or, is this just paper talk? Only the likes of Daniel Farke and Stuart Webber know the answer but Collins played 34 times for Paderborn last season, helping them to promotion to the Bundesliga.
I think most fans expected that Norwich would look to sign a new goal-Keeper this summer and there have been some real bananas links, like Joe Hart and Simon Mignolet – we all know what Stuart Webber thought about those.
Here’s another one for you though, in the shape of Bournemouth starlet, Mark Travers.
EXCLUSIVE: Norwich and Leeds eyeing up Ireland and Bournemouth keeper Mark Travers – @noriordan https://t.co/3436Xi75bP
— Irish Sun Sport (@IrishSunSport) June 14, 2019
The 20-year-old made two late season appearances for the Cherries last term and is ripe for first-team football.
He still has two years left on his Bournemouth contract and I would be very surprised to see Eddie Howe let this young man go, at least not permanently.
Norwich have extended the contracts of Tim Krul (no surprise) and Michael McGovern (big surprise) and it looks as though Krul will start as the number one.
Travers looks like a big future prospect but is probably going to struggle to start the season between the sticks for Bournemouth, so a loan move seems sensible.
Having said that, a club sends a young player out on loan with the intention of getting regular game time, not warming a bench, so it’s hard to see City being able to sign him with that in mind.
There’s also talk of Leeds United being keen and that they might let Kiko Casilla return to Spain, having only signed him last January. Can’t see that myself. Admittedly, he made a few big ricks at the end of the season but, he is a decent keeper.
If that did happen though, Travers to Leeds on-loan for the season would seem possible. I just can’t see the lad signing on-loan for Norwich.
Overnight, The Sun have an exclusive that links Norwich with Strasbourg striker, Nuno Da Costa.
Strasbourg striker Nuno Da Costa set for Premier League switch | @mcgrathmike https://t.co/1DwaMgL7A7 pic.twitter.com/j9sghoQkfD
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) June 15, 2019
The 28-year-old Cape Verde International is apparently available for around £5m and is also being tracked by Brighton.
The Sun also reckon that City are keen, along with Aston Villa, on Ghanaian International right-back, Daniel Opare for a bargain £500k. He’s currently at Antwerp and has just one year left on his deal there – sounds ripe for a deal to me,
There were, of course, a few other off the field things going on this week with the club’s new membership scheme causing a right old brouhaha among some fans and you can read all about that here.
In terms of pre-season, Norwich have cancelled their planned game against Paderborn but confirmed the home schedule for when they return to England.
Our pre-season friendly with Paderborn has been cancelled but we aim to announce details of two German tour friendlies next week! 🇩🇪 #ncfc
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) June 14, 2019
Luton is away BTW. Our bad! 😬 #ncfc
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) June 14, 2019
Finally, it was Premier League fixtures day on Thursday with City being drawn away at Anfield against the European Champions, live on Sky Sports to kick-off the new season.
Here’s the full schedule, subject to change for TV, of course!
The full set of #ncfc 2019-20 fixtures! 🗓 pic.twitter.com/h5TtrMQo4O
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) June 13, 2019
Other than that, have yourselves a great weekend and enjoy Father’s Day, if you’re a father. My lad has bought me Grant Holt’s autobiography – good lad!
OTBC