Norwich City winger Borja Sainz has been in talks with Athletic Bilbao over a potential summer move, it has emerged.
Norwich City are in for a summer of change once again with a managerial switch ahead and movement on the player front. NCFC have opted for change as they look to return to the top end of the Championship.
After Johannes Hoff Thorup was relieved of his duties before the end of the season, it seems Bristol City boss Liam Manning is increasingly likely to take the reins at Carrow Road.
There will be changes to the squad too, with key winger Borja Sainz widely expected to head for pastures new this summer.
The Norwich City star has been linked with a move back to Spain and citing reports from Catalonia, The Pink Un says that Sainz has been in contact over a potential move to Athletic Bilbao. He was back in the Basque Country fo the Europa League Final last Wednesday and has spoken with Athletic’s football chief Mikel Gonzalez.
His representatives discussed the future with NCFC chiefs late in the season and a move back to Spain seems likely with Villarreal also keen.
Sainz, 24, started his career in the Athletic Bilbao academy and was born in Basque municipality Leioa.
Destined for a Norwich City exit
Some at Norwich City may well be clinging onto a fate hope of keeping Sainz yet, but it feels as though the writing is on the wall already.
18 goals and four assists in 41 Championship games has seen the NCFC star’s stock grow massively over the past year. Perhaps most importantly though, his deal is up in 2026, so this could present a last chance for the Canaries to make really good money on a sale.
Given that he was signed on a free transfer, the huge gains made by selling Sainz will serve as justification for cashing in on a key player.
Beneficial for incoming boss Manning?
If Manning is to come in at Norwich City, he will reap the benefits of a Sainz sale.
While he may well have hoped to work with the 24-year-old and kept him for a push up the table, the money gained from a sale can go straight back into the side. The Canaries have already received a good level of investment but the sale of Sainz will only enable more spending.
Manning, if he comes through the door, will have the facilities to make a real mark on the squad at Carrow Road. That may well be a key factor in persuading him to leave his Bristol City side despite the achievements of the 2024/25 campaign.
