Norwich City make six-figure bid for League Two forward

Norwich City have made an approach to sign teenage forward Botan Ameen from League Two side Swindon Town, as per The Moonraker.

Norwich City are gearing up for another important summer following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season. NCFC fell short of where they wanted to be and are now on the lookout for a new boss.

The Canaries surprised many by parting ways with Johannes Hoff Thorup due to poor results and are currently under the caretaker lead of Jack Wilshere. It remains to be seen whether he will be given the job permanently or if an external appointment will be made.

Nonetheless, the Carrow Road outfit will be making inroads on early transfer plans, and it seems one move has already been made.

According to The Moonraker, Norwich City have made an approach for Swindon Town prospects Botan Ameen.

The 18-year-old has caught the eye of clubs in the Premier League and Championship having broken through at the County Ground over recent months. However, it seems to be NCFC who are most eager to pounce having made a six-figure offer.

Swindon have made an offer of improved terms to Ameen though, so they will be entitled to a larger sum if a move ends up going to a tribunal further down the line when his deal ends.

Ameen’s emergence

Given Norwich City’s track record of signing young players and developing them at Carrow Road, it’s perhaps not that surprising to learn that Ameen has emerged as a target.

Ameen, who can play as a striker or winger, played 17 times for the League Two side over the course of the 2024/25 season. Along the way, he chipped in with two goals and two assists despite only turning 18 in April.

Ameen is held in high regard at the County Ground, and the club may be eager for him to stay onboard and develop more before cashing in on an offer from someone like NCFC.

Norwich City on the lookout for prospects

Norwich City are no strangers to signing promising young players, dipping into the lower divisions of English football for talented prospects. Kellen Fisher is perhaps the most recent success story having signed from Bromley while they were still in the National League.

Perhaps Ameen would start out in the club’s youth sides given his youth, finding his feet in Norfolk with a view to stepping up to the first-team when they feel he’s ready.

However, the fact he has played a decent amount of football for Swindon could have him in position for a fringe role despite the big jump up. Time will tell whether a deal comes too fruition through, with Swindon sure to stand firm on their valuation and others keen.

Huge pressure now on the duo tasked with implementing the Attanasio plan

Over the course of the protracted takeover of Norwich City FC by the Norfolk Holdings Group LLC, changes will have taken place.

Huge pressure now on the duo tasked with implementing the Attanasio pl

Over the course of the protracted takeover of Norwich City FC by the Norfolk Holdings Group LLC, changes will have taken place.

In order to realise the long-term goal of a group of sports investors, significant value has to be added to initial and ongoing investment; otherwise, what is the point?

So, make no mistake, we are no longer a club that is owned by two local, lifelong supporters. Those days are done. Long gone.

Following the 2024 AGM, a comment was made by Mark Attanasio regarding Ben Knapper and his plan going forward that, for me, was telling. It signalled approval from the owners, and Attanasio went on to explain that, in his eyes, the role of the owners is to support and provide a pathway to achieve success based on that plan.

All plans and projects must have clear and defined objectives.

In our case, and in the case of the Attanasios and Norfolk Group, that objective is to establish Norwich City as a mid-sized Premier League club, while increasing its value significantly enough to provide a satisfactory return to them, as investors.