Oliver Inwards takes a look at some possible transfer targets in the summer with an insightful article picking out some hidden gems from the lower leagues…
Now that Norwich City are all but safe (in my mind at least), I am looking forward to what is sure to be a busy summer of transfers at the Norfolk club. With Ricky Van Wolfswinkel already confirmed as joining the Canaries from abroad, I look closer to home and the lower leagues for any potential signings that could improve Norwich City for next season.
Curtis Davies – Birmingham
A player that has been linked with us ever since Chris Hughton was appointed; Davies is a solid pro and defender, who has previous Premier League experience. With Elliot Ward and Leon Barnett out of favour, and Daniel Ayala constantly on the physio`s table, Norwich will need another centre back to help strengthen that position. With Birmingham in a bit of financial trouble, Davies would present a good buy, with experience and not particularly expensive either.
Nathan Redmond – Birmingham
Another player from the financially stricken Birmingham, Redmond is a pacey young winger, who has potential to be an exciting player for many years to come. Norwich only have three recognised wingers in the squad, and with more creativity needed for next season, Redmond would be an excellent addition, as he can play both flanks, with good use of both feet. His pace would add some dynamism to the side, which it sometimes lacks.
Sam Byram – Leeds
For this transfer we head back to our feeder club in Leeds! With Russell Martin being linked with Mr Lambert at Villa, we may be in need of another full back come the summer. Byram is certainly a very good prospect at right back, and we have links with buying Leeds players before, so negotiations between the clubs are obviously good. Also he is a player Leeds fans desperately want to keep hold of, so it`d be amusing let`s say, if we took another one of their crop!
Liam Bridcutt – Brighton
I think we need help in the midfield department, and Bridcutt is an excellent young midfielder. He is deployed in the defensive midfield role for Brighton, so would fit into our system well. He is a player that can get around and stuck in like a Bradley Johnson, but has the passing ability as well. I`ve seen him play on numerous occasions, and every time he has been the star of the show. Would be a very good signing in my eyes.
Charlie Austin – Burnley
We need firepower in the summer. Players who score goals. This is what Austin does. In his time at Swindon, and now Burnley, Austin has been prolific. He is not only a goal scorer, he has good hold up play, and aerial threat, so would fit into our system well if Van Wolfswinkel went down. He is also young, so offers a future investment as well. However Burnley have commanded a big fee for him in the past, so there may be better value for money elsewhere.
Will Hughes – Derby
This kid has some talent. Unfortunately I think he is destined to head to a bigger club than ourselves, with many of the top teams touted, but if he wanted first team football, I`d love for us to swoop in. Another midfielder, who can create and score goals, Hughes has been controlling games in the Championship so impressively for someone so young. If we signed him, I`d be beyond delighted; however I fear he is destined for the United`s and Arsenal`s of this world.
I will end on a bit of a left field one?
Max Clayton – Crewe
A player developed from the Dario Gradi production line at Crewe Alexandra, Clayton is an exciting young striker. He would need time to develop to be a first team player here, but he has a lot of potential. Surprisingly not signed last summer when his counterpart Nick Powell left, we could swoop in and take him I feel. The last striker we signed from Crewe turned out alright!!
Those are players who I feel would be worth Norwich City signing in the summer transfer window. Obviously I expect us to look abroad, but there are still good gems hanging round in the lower leagues that can improve not only our squad, but also our first team.