"I look at players like Emi Buendia" - Norwich City: Wes Hoolahan's peak transfer value under the spotlight | OneFootball

Wes Hoolahan is one of Norwich City's finest ever attacking midfielders, but how much would he be worth in his prime in today's market?

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's Wes Hoolahan enjoyed a decade-long career at Carrow Road, during which he'd cement his legacy as one of the club's best and most popular figures of all-time.

The Irishman was the source of numerous vital goals, assists and iconic moments, as he went on a journey with Norwich all the way from League One, to the Premier League.

A deadly left foot, superb technical ability and a true club legend, Hoolahan would likely be included in many Norwich City fans' all-time XI's.

Few attacking midfielders have come close to matching his production in a Canaries shirt before or since, but how much would a prime Hoolahan be worth in today's transfer market?

Football League World investigates...

Norwich fan pundit lumps "£15-20m" price-tag on Hoolahan

Given the nature of today's transfer market and how much money is being spent by clubs, it's always interesting to ponder how much a historical player may have been worth, had they been enjoying the prime years of their career in football's modern day financial climate.

This is precisely what FLW put to our Norwich City fan pundit, Zeke Downes, regarding the Canaries' iconic playmaking midfielder, Hoolahan.

"I look at players like Emi Buendia, obviously he went for £30-35m. So, maybe as high as that? But also, Hoolahan wasn't as talented I don't think.

"He didn't have the defensive attributes as well, and didn't get as many goals or assists. So, I think probably a little bit lower.

"Also, because he is Irish as well, it's not like you're going to be commanding a massive fee."

Hoolahan was one of Championship's best attacking midfielders of his time

Dubbed as the 'Irish Messi', Hoolahan's wand of a left foot paired with his industrious charm and creative genius, would cast a spell on the Carrow Road crowds for a decade.

The Irish international went on a rollercoaster of a journey with the club, having been part of a Norwich side which was relegated to League One in his debut season during the 08/09 campaign.

He would go on to play an integral part in ensuring the Canaries would win the League One title the following season, before helping the club defy the odds and secure automatic promotion to the Premier League in their first season back in the Championship in 2010/11.

During that Championship season of 10/11, Hoolahan would score 10 goals and provide seven assists, before proving he could do it at Premier League level the following year, scoring four and notching seven assists in 34 top-flight appearances in 2011/12.

Despite some less productive individual Premier League seasons to follow, he would once again show his class at second tier level in 2014/15, as he helped himself to four goals and 11 assists on the way to a play-off final win over Middlesbrough.

He'd once again evidence his ability to play at the highest level in 2015/16, scoring four goals and providing eight assists in 30 Premier League appearances. A further stellar Championship season would follow, as he would score seven times and provide 11 assists during the 2016/17 campaign.

So, for a player who was undoubtedly one of the Championship's best attacking midfielders during his various spells in the division and a proven Premier League performer, Downes' £15-20m valuation seems a reasonable one as to what kind of fee Norwich could've received for him in today's market.