We’re now less than 24 hours away from the opening of the January and there are a few stories doing the rounds regarding Norwich City.
I don’t expect there will be too much in the way of incoming signings as the squad looks pretty decent with strength in depth. We could, of course, do with another left back as cover for Jamal Lewis but, with Max Aarons able to play there and lots of cover at right back, I’m not holding my breath on that one.
There is always the possibility of a mega-money offer coming in for one of our stars, you know, the sort of offer that you just can’t refuse. Is that likely though?
It does seem as though the sales of James Maddison and Josh Murphy have kept the Wolves from the door, for now. I think that any players outgoing will be on our terms, at least in this window.
So, what’s been in the media over the weekend?
Two stories stand out, the first is another Premier League link to Max Aarons. Aarons has been outstanding at right-back since breaking into the first team in September, having made 22 appearances and scoring 3 goals in all competitions.
Last week he was linked with Spurs and over the weekend, another link has been reported by The Mirror in which Arsenal seem to have also become interested.
The Mirror claim that City won’t entertain any deal for Aarons, with a fee of £15m being quoted, unless it involves a loan back for the rest of the season.
I imagine that this is just paper talk at the moment. I don’t think we need to sell and in any case, having just signed a long-term deal, he will be worth even more in the summer, if we weren’t promoted. Imagine what he’d be worth with a good season in the top flight under his belt though?
I don’t doubt that Max has his Premier League admirers though.
The other story doing the rounds is that Sheffield United are keen on signing Yanic Wildschut in January.
Yanic has been on loan with Bolton since the summer but hardly made much of an impact with the Trotters or their fans.
He started well enough, scoring the winner against West Brom on opening day and he also scored the winner against Reading, also in August. Since then though, he’s struggled.
He’s made 17 appearances but been restricted by niggling injuries and poor form. Add that all together and he’s made only 5 starts, with the rest of his appearances coming from the bench.
This speculation comes via journalist Alan Nixon, who used his Twitter account (@reluctantnicko) to tweet the news.
Nixon tweeted: “SHEFF U. Odd one. Keen on Yanic Wildschut at NORWICH. Currently bombed out at BOLTON. May swap loan clubs and head for Blades as squad man.”
Yanic didn’t make it at Norwich and I think I’m right in saying that his contract is up in the summer – it ’s not really working out for him at Bolton either. He’s on a season-long loan with Bolton, so any break in that deal would have to be agreed by all parties.
Would Norwich be happy to let Yanic move to a promotion rival? Would Phil Parkinson be willing to let him go? What about the player himself?
It’s a strange one because he’s not exactly set the division alight since leaving Wigan, has he?
OTBC