Sheffield United can land massive EFL transfer coup if Norwich City deal is sanctioned | OneFootball

Borja Sainz is a top Championship player and would be a great capture for the Blades

Norwich City winger Borja Sainz has been one of the best players in the Championship this season, and with promotion-hopefuls Sheffield United reportedly interested in his signature, the Blades could secure a huge coup if he makes the move to Bramall Lane this summer.

Sainz joined the Canaries on a three-year deal from Turkish side Giresunspor in 2023, and after a relatively quiet debut campaign in East Anglia, he has burst into life this season to become a real standout in the second-tier under Johannes Hoff Thorup.

The 24-year-old was brilliant in the opening stages of this season, with his 15 league goals before the end of November placing him clear at the top of the scoring charts, despite Norwich failing to truly push for the top six throughout this term.

His form took a downturn in the games leading up to his six-match ban for spitting in December, but he has been back amongst the goals in recent weeks and will be looking to fire Hoff Thorup's side to a strong finish to the season, with a potential big-money move to the Blades on the horizon in the summer.

Sainz has proven himself in the Championship this season

Sainz did well in his first season at Carrow Road with six goals and two assists in 35 Championship appearances, but he has stepped up this term to become their star man after the departure of Gabriel Sara.

He netted three goals in his first six games of this season, including a winner against Coventry City, then followed that up with a hat-trick at Derby County to earn the Championship's Player of the Month award for September.

The 24-year-old attacker continued to net regularly to help Norwich in their chase for the top six, and also won the Championship Player of the Month award for October after registering four goals and two assists in five more appearances.

After another hat-trick against Plymouth Argyle in November, Sainz' oustanding season began to falter in the lead-up to his suspension, but he still attracted widespread transfer attention in January as a result of his impressive performances.

Serie A outfit Napoli were linked with a move, alongside interest from Girona in his native Spain and previous reports of both Galatasaray and Atlético Madrid being ready to make an approach to the Canaries. A move never materialised, however, and he has seen the campaign out at Carrow Road.

He failed to get back on track in the immediate aftermath of his return, before finally netting his first goal in over three months against Sheffield Wednesday in March. The 24-year-old followed that up with another strike against Bristol City, and he now looks to be back playing similarly to his early-season self as the Championship season draws to a close.

His successive goals were unable to stop the Canaries from losing against the Owls and the Robins, however, and their play-off hopes look all but over with seven league games to go. Norwich look resigned to losing him this summer, with his contract up in 2026, and Sheffield United are now reportedly strong contenders for his signature.

Sheffield United

Transfer journalist Alan Nixon recently revealed that the Blades, who currently sit top of the Championship, are planning to make a sizeable bid for Spaniard Sainz in the summer window, and they are willing to spend big on him, regardless of if they get promoted this season or not.

United, however, are currently only willing to commit over £10 million towards his services as it stands, which is likely a fair way off the Canaries' price-tag and valuation of his importance to the club.

Norwich's results without Sainz' presence in January and early February were mixed, to say the least, and his goal contributions make up 34% of all of their 61 goals in the league up to now, so despite his recent lack of form, it is pretty obvious as to why they wanted to keep him around until at least the end of the season amid Girona and Napoli's respective January interest.

Prior to the winter window, it was made very clear by Canaries chief Mark Attanasio that they did not plan on parting ways with Sainz midway through the season, and even now, with close to 12 months left on his current contract, the club are unlikely to agree to sell him for any less than what they feel he is worth in the summer.

Norwich sporting director Ben Knapper revealed to the PinkUn in February that contract conversations with Sainz were ongoing, and the club was "relaxed" about his future as it stands.

He may have struggled somewhat as of late, but his recent return to the scoresheet has proven that he is still a top player in the second-tier when he wants to be. Sheffield United would be landing a huge coup in the summer if they sign him for any less than £20m, especially given his age and potential to get even better with more experience of English football under his belt.

Norwich will want whatever is set to happen, to happen quickly, as they will need to get their priorities in order ahead of next season, where they will likely want to stage a real push for promotion with a settled squad under Hoff Thorup.