Five transfer priorities for Ben Knapper and Norwich City
With a big summer ahead for Norwich City, Samuel Seaman highlights five transfer issues for sporting director Ben Knapper to address.
Exclusive: Norwich City submit bid for England youth international Reece Wilkes
Norwich have tabled a £100,000 bid for Fleetwood Town’s England youth international Reece Wilkes, sources have told Football Insider.
A number of clubs have shown an interest in the 16-year-old, but Norwich are hopeful they can win the race for his services and lure the teenager to Carrow Road.
The Fleetwood academy product is highly-regarded at Highbury Stadium, has already represented England at both Under-15s and Under-16s level, and scored against Scotland last February.
The attacking midfielder made his first-team debut for the Cod Army earlier this season, when he came off the bench seven minutes before the end of their 3-2 loss to Aston Villa’s Under-21s in the EFL trophy.
Norwich keen to bolster youth ranks as Josh Sargent set to leave
With Jack Wilshere at the helm after Johannes Hoff Thorup’s dismissal in April, albeit only temporarily until the end of the Championship season last Saturday, Norwich have a significant summer ahead.
Football Insider revealed last month that 22-year-old Arsenal academy graduate Nathan Butler-Oyedeji is on Norwich’s radar, with senior figures like Angus Gunn allowed to leave the club at season’s end.
A youth-first approach to bring in a player of Wilkes’ quality is a sign of the times at Carrow Road, and with Josh Sargent’s form this season likely to earn him a high-value summer move, the Canaries will use that income to strengthen and ideally win the race for the Fleetwood youngster.
Jack Wilshere’s future up in the air at Norwich
Wilkes isn’t the only Fleetwood player set to attract suitors this summer, after Football Insider revealed in November that Swansea and Huddersfield are both fond of their Irish goalkeeper David Harrington.
It remains to be seen if Wilshere will be given the job full-time after a draw with Middlesbrough and 4-2 win over Cardiff in his two games, but Norwich’s different approach to recruitment will soon take shape.
The former Arsenal and England midfielder is arguably the perfect mentor for Wilkes to learn from as his own career develops, and the Canaries’ hierarchy must consider these factors when the decision comes on their next head coach.
‘Newcastle ready to sell two first-XI stars to fund Bryan Mbeumo deal’
Newcastle United are exploring the possibility of signing Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo in the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 25-year-old is their top target to improve their wide options.
However, they will only be able to afford his lofty £50-60million price tag if they decide to cash in on Anthony Gordon or Harvey Barnes this summer.
Brown told Football Insider on 14 April that Newcastle could accept “huge” offers for Gordon if they need to sell before they buy this summer.
A new right-winger has been top of their list of targets since last summer and despite the form of Jacob Murphy, Mbeumo is seen the ideal option.
Football Insider exclusively revealed in February that Brentford will accept £50million for Mbeumo amid growing interest from Eddie Howe’s side.
Newcastle to make Bryan Mbeumo move after Anthony Gordon exit
Brown told Football Insider in January that Newcastle would wait to sign Mbeumo in the summer when they will have improved financial stability.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted the Magpies may be forced to drum up funds to meet his asking price.
“Newcastle are very interested in Bryan Mbeumo,” he told Football Insider.
“But they’ll only be able to pay his £50-60million price tag if they lose one of their current players.
“They’ve got Harvey Barnes who has had a bit of resurgence lately and established himself in the side.
“Then, they’ve got Anthony Gordon, and there’s been a bit of talk about him moving on.
“It’s an interesting dilemma for Newcastle because there are a few players who they don’t feel are good enough to be major parts of where they want to be.
“But they’re still concerned about PSR and whether they can go out and spend big money.
“If they get offers for Gordon or Barnes which they deem acceptable, they could be sold which would then allow Newcastle to reinvest that money into their squad.
“Mbeumo has been a top-level player on a consistent basis and has had an impressive season.
“He’d be perfect for Newcastle on that right-hand side, but it’s just a concern about their finances.
“If they can sell first, then they’ll go for it, but if they can’t then they won’t be able to afford him.”
