Norwich City urged to avoid Nottingham Forest or Leeds United transfer for £16m-rated star | OneFootball

FLW's Norwich City fan pundit discussed Josh Sargent's future with the club amid intense transfer speculation

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Norwich City have been urged to retain star striker Josh Sargent, who is garnering interest elsewhere ahead of this summer's transfer window.

It has been a mixed campaign for the Canaries, who have failed to kick on from last season's play-off semi-final collapse against Leeds United. Head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup is now set to be unsuccessful in his bid to secure a top-six finish for Norwich, with the side left in 13th and eight points shy of sixth-placed West Bromwich Albion with just eight games to spare following Friday night's 2-1 defeat at Bristol City.

The performances of Sargent, however, have offered a real source of positivity in an otherwise disappointing term at Carrow Road. Sargent has been prolific at Championship level ever since Norwich's relegation from the Premier League in his first season after completing an £8 million switch from Werder Bremen, but, when fit, has taken his game to another level this time around.

The United States international has registered 12 goals and five assists from just 24 league appearances, prompting intensifying speculation as we head into the closing stages of the campaign.

High-flying Nottingham Forest have been linked to the striker, while Leeds and a number of undisclosed Bundesliga and other Premier League sides are also said to hold an interest.

Sargent, who remains under contract until 2028, is reportedly valued at between €15-20 million (£12.6-£16.8 million) by the Canaries. Thorup's side are clearly willing to sell at the price, but have been warned against accepting any fee for Sargent's services.

Norwich City urged to resist Nottingham Forest, Leeds United transfer interest in Josh Sargent

FLW spoke to our resident Norwich fan pundit, Zeke Downes, and asked him to name his biggest wish for the club this summer.

While Zeke could have banged the drum for additional signings to give Norwich that extra edge in fighting for a Premier League return or even retaining 17-goal winger Borja Sainz - the division's leading goalscorer - he believes keeping hold of Sargent is the single biggest priority.

"My biggest wish for my club this summer is to keep hold of Sargent," Zeke told FLW.

"Without him, we will struggle massively. We already are at this point, but without his goals, link-up play and defending from the attacking position - which is something a lot of strikers do not have to their game, and holding up the ball and bringing in other players, we will be struggling.

"You're not going to find a player of his level for the amount we'd be wanting to get for him if he left.

"I think that's something we have to do. I think we can let Sainz go because we need to get some money back and build the squad further.

"But I think we need to build the team around Sargent and, despite him having injuries, he's at a really good age and we can then add players around him to stop us being so reliant on him."

Norwich City may find it difficult to retain Josh Sargent without promotion

It would take a minor miracle for Norwich to now achieve promotion this season, which means their hopes of retaining Sargent for a fourth season in the Championship appear rather slim, too.

Sargent has consistently shown himself to be a cut above Championship level, quite simply. Now aged 25, he will surely intend on trying his hand in the top-flight once again and is more than capable of making the step-up.

Forest, for example, could well offer UEFA Champions League football and a long-term succession plan in terms of eventually replacing Chris Wood. That could be hard to resist for Sargent himself, while Norwich's own valuation shows the striker is indeed for sale if their demand is met.