Trying to keep up with all the rumour and speculation at this time of the year is a nearly full-time job and as I already have one of those, I don’t really want another.
I think I’ve decided that if it’s a big bit of news then you’ll get it ASAP but otherwise, I’m starting to favour a morning round-up of the state of the Canary nation.
First off, James Maddison is being linked with a move away from Leicester this summer to one of the Premier League’s big beasts. Manchester United, Spurs and Manchester City are all reported to be interested in the former Norwich 2017/18 player of the season, as reported here by the Pink ‘Un.
The Pink ‘Un understands that there is a 15% sell-on clause in the deal that took Maddison from Norwich to Leicester for a reported £24m, which would mean a substantial windfall for City should Madders make a move.
Meanwhile, I see that Norwich are linked with Brentford’s Neal Maupay, also reported by the Pink ‘Un.
Aston Villa are also being linked to him, https://www.thesun.co.uk/ say for a fee of £20million. Villa, of course, are managed by the ex-Brentford boss Dean Smith so it’s highly likely that’d be Maupay’s destination anyway, even if we were minted, which we’re not.
Meanwhile, Manchester United and Tottenham are both keeping tabs on Ben Godfrey according to the Daily Mail.
United have been linked with Godfrey for a while but I just can’t see this sort of deal happening. The only way that Norwich are going to sell any key players this summer, especially a promising youngster is for a mega, and I mean really mega transfer fee.
Godfrey isn’t going to be commanding that sort of fee just yet. They might offer £10m but that’s going to be a bid City can withstand now that they’ve been promoted.
Ben Godfrey, just like Max Aarons and Jamal Lewis have played brilliantly in the Championship but don’t yet have Premier League experience. That will change very quickly and this time next year, all three will have probably/hopefully had great first seasons in the top flight.
James Maddison was sold for £24m last summer and is now being spoken of in the £60m bracket and that’s after just one great season. Whilst defenders don’t command quite such large fees as attacking midfielders, you can expect big value increases for this young trio if all goes well, in twelve months time.
Then, there may well be a decision to be made by all parties but we’re a way off that just yet.
The Pink ‘Un are, as usual, all over the summer’s speculation and reported yesterday that Ipswich Town are keen on ex-City goalkeeper, Remi Matthews.
Ipswich Town are understood to be considering a move for former Norwich City keeper Remi Matthews this summer, if Bartosz Bialkowski departs this summer. https://t.co/ytugIzptB2 #ncfc
— The Pink Un (@pinkun) June 4, 2019
Don’t do it, Remi!
They also report, via their excellent interview with Stuart Webber (which we’re being drip fed) that Mario Vrancic is on the verge of signing a new contract, something that many of the City squad are in the process of doing.
Mario Vrancic could be the next Norwich City player to sign a new contract, as sporting director Stuart Webber tries to maintain the Canaries’ title-winning spirit. https://t.co/IQsgAL3xEG #ncfc
— The Pink Un (@pinkun) June 4, 2019
Mario was one of my favourite players last season and I’m looking forward to seeing how he does in the Premier League. For the record, I think he’s going to do very well.
Finally, two familiar faces are returning to the NCFC family to become Club Ambassadors.
We are delighted to announce Jeremy Goss and Darren Huckerby as official Club Ambassadors! #ncfc
Read more 👇
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) June 4, 2019
I’m especially pleased for Gossy, who my wife knows and who has by his own admission, been persona non grata over the last few years at the club. Conspicuous by his absence during last year’s UEFA Cup run celebrations – he simply wasn’t invited, he told Mrs T.
Anyway, we’re happy for him that he’s back in the fold – he’s a legend!
OTBC