I noticed on Saturday morning that a story surfaced linking Teemu Pukki with a move away from Carrow Road to Turkish club, Besiktas.
Turkish sports newspaper, Foto Spor, claim That talks have already been held with Pukki’s representatives, something that the Pink ‘Un reported.
I don’t doubt that there will be interest in Pukki and interest from abroad is also likely due to his high profile with the Finnish national team and his previous stints in Spain, Germany, Scotland and Denmark. His 29 league goals the last time City were in the Championship will still be in several scouts’ memories, I’m sure.
Whether Norwich would be prepared to sell or not is unknown but I would see it as unlikely, unless a huge bid were to be made. Every player has a price, we all know that and Stuart Webber has previously said as much when discussing other members of the squad and transfer speculation.
Bearing in mind that Pukki arrived on a free transfer and is the wrong side of 30 now, the finances involved in such a deal would only benefit the Canaries. In terms of what he is worth, it’s got to be a double digit, solid bid, in my view to make Norwich even consider this.
There are no suggestions that Pukki wants to leave and outwardly, at least, he appears happy with the club and his life in Norfolk. All the value for City lies in the length of his contract and having a proven goal scorer is one of the pre-requisites for a promotion challenge next season.
Yes, we also have Adam Idah and Josip Drmic in the house but whilst young Idah is clearly a viable option whose involvement will surely only grow next season, I don’t see him usurping Pukki from the number 9 role immediately. If Pukki can recover his old self next season then I expect him to be the first choice striker. Why wouldn’t he be?
As for Drmic, well…
In other news Tim Krul has been talking to Voetbal International in his native Holland and he insists that he feels that he owes Norwich City for giving him a chance. The story is reported here by Insidefutbol.com.
Norwich gave Krul the chance to be a number one again and after a slightly shaky start, he has grasped that chance firmly in those big hands of his, culminating with him being awarded the Barry Butler Memorial Trophy for 2019-20, which is presented to the fan voted, Player of the Season.
“I signed up with Norwich City until 2022 last year and I have not forgotten how much I owe to this club. They gave me the opportunity after a difficult few years” Krul said.
“It may be that the club prefer me to go, for financial reasons or whatever. Then it will be a different story but I’m not going to force anything myself.”
“Norwich City is simply a beautiful and strong club”, Krul added.
Again, I cannot see Norwich wanting or needing to sell Tim Krul, which coupled with these comments makes me feel confident that he will be with us next season as well.
Finally, it seems that former Norwich youth goalkeeper, Remi Matthews is currently training with Ipswich Town after he left Bolton.
Matthews was one of the few senior players to stay with Bolton after the club went into administration but relegation to League Two has now seen him move on as a free agent. The Gorleston born lad will link up with former Canary boss, Paul Lambert at Portman Road over the summer but it is unclear as yet as to whether this is a trial or he’s just keeping fit. Surely he could do that at Norwich, couldn’t he?
OTBC