The January transfer window is now wide open for business, with several things of note already happening across all divisions.
The top two tiers tend to interest those of a Canary persuasion the most but I have to say, the proposed Jermaine Defoe to Rangers move is the most eye-catching transfer so far. A little closer to home and we’ve already had a few bits of business being done, in the Championship and some outs and returns to Carrow Road.
On New Year’s Day, Matt Jarvis went out on loan to Walsall as he looks to get his career back on track after two years in the injury wilderness. From what I understand, he’s been a model professional around Colney, despite setback after setback and he has nothing but my best wishes. It’s not his fault that he got injured, remember.
So what’s happened so far, other than Mr Jarvis?
Well, there have been a couple of returns with the loans of both Tristan Abrahams (Exeter) and Mason Bloomfield (Hamilton) having been cut short. Both players have been recalled by City with Bloomfield immediately being loaned out to AFC Fylde, who currently sit fourth in the National League table.
In terms of other news, James Husband will remain at Fleetwood on-loan for the rest of the season after his loan was extended.
🤝 | #ftfc are pleased to announce that James Husband has extended his loan deal with the club, keeping him at Highbury until the end of the season!
Full details 👉 https://t.co/Yk8pHmyWdf#OnwardTogether pic.twitter.com/C1x7QzqJd8
— Fleetwood Town FC (@ftfc) January 3, 2019
One big concern for the Canary faithful was the mooted recall of Jordan Rhodes, now that Steve Bruce has been announced as Sheffield Wednesday’s new manager.
This was starting to cause a little panic in some quarters on social media but at his pre-Portsmouth press conference, Daniel Farke dismissed that, saying “No chance. There is no option for that. Jordan is here for the next few months.”
On Jordan Rhodes – Daniel Farke says there’s “no chance” that he’ll return earlier to Sheffield Wednesday after the appointment of Steve Bruce. “He’s committed to us for the season.”
— Chris Goreham (@CGoreham) January 4, 2019
With the way that Rhodes has been taken to Canary hearts, this is good news indeed.
Whether Norwich will do any other business is, of course, unknown at this point. I fully expect to see some of the young lads go out on loan, while Nelson Oliveira’s link to Swansea City in this transfer window lingers. He’s been linked to the Swans more times than you can count on the fingers of one hand and looking through some of the Swansea fans’ opinions on Twitter, it seems that he would be welcomed in Wales and seen as an upgrade to their squad. From a Norwich point of view, we need his salary off the wage bill and the lad needs to play.
Other than that, there are few publicised links between Norwich and new signings to be found on the internet, at the moment. That’s not quite the case just down the A140 though as Paul Lambert attempts to plot a January basis for his “Great Escape.” It made me chuckle that Radio Suffolk even knocked up a poster to that effect with Lambert’s face superimposed on Steve McQueen as he rode that motorcycle at the end of the iconic WW2 movie – you do know that he didn’t make it, don’t you guys?
Paul Lambert as Steve McQueen . Is the great escape on? Only time will tell. Starting tomorrow night!! #ITFCTheGreatEscape #markmurphy #ITFC #greatescape #bbcsuffolk #Goodluck pic.twitter.com/Nvrc51XQ9R
— Francis Mills (@FJmills78) November 22, 2018
Among the names that Lambert has been linked with is that of former Canary, Anthony Pilkington, who has a patchy recent relationship with the City faithful and that’s being kind. The winger is in the last year of his deal at Cardiff but has not made any appearances for the Bluebirds this season and a deal to take him to Portman Road is looking highly likely. That should add even more spice to the Tractor boys’ visit to Carrow Road in February.
#itfc linked with a move for Cardiff's Anthony Pilkington.
Signed by Lambert while at #ncfchttps://t.co/yTLPBmEjwk pic.twitter.com/3dQJMtZmDk
— Andy Warren (@AndyWarren_) January 4, 2019
Stuart Webber might surprise us all and splash out on a new striker or winger (but I doubt it), or more likely, he might spring for some cover at left back. Having said that though, Jamal Lewis should be back fit for the trip to the Hawthorns next weekend so don’t hold your breath on that one.
Unless there’s some mega offer from the Premier League, I can’t see this window being too busy but I believe I wrote something like that this time, last year…
OTBC
You can read all about Daniel Farke’s pre-Portsmouth press conference here.