Football League World
·15. November 2024
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·15. November 2024
Three Spanish top-tier teams are believed to be interested in a move for Borja Sainz, who has been on top form for the Canaries this term.
Norwich City star Borja Sainz would reportedly prefer to move to Atlético Madrid amid links to other La Liga sides Athletic Club and Villarreal as well as Premier League clubs and Galatasaray.
That latest reveal on his future, which comes according to Radio Popular de Bilbao, may be cause for concern for the Carrow Road faithful - with top clubs seemingly starting to circle.
Sainz has been in exceptional form for the Canaries this season, stepping up after the departures of some key players and proving to be a real asset in the final third.
The 23-year-old has been one of the best players in the Championship and is leading the Golden Boot race while his contributions for Johannes Hoff Thorup's side have been particularly important following the departures of some key attackers.
Adam Idah, who shone on loan at Celtic last season and could have been an asset in Norfolk this term, was sold.
Gabriel Sara, who was a major attacking asset from midfield last season, also left the club and so did Jonathan Rowe, who burst onto the scene last season and established himself as a key player under David Wagner.
With all three of those players leaving and Josh Sargent now on the sidelines, Sainz has become a particularly important player, but it may only be a matter of time before he moves on if he can continue to shine.
The Canaries' board have shown a willingness to cash in on players for the right place since their return to the Championship - and fans may be fearing that he could be lured away from Carrow Road during the January transfer window.
Radio Popular de Bilbao are reporting that Atlético Madrid, Athletic Club and Villarreal are all interested in a move for the player.
Galatasaray are named in the report as another team that may be in the mix for the 23-year-old, along with some Premier League clubs.
Atlético Madrid are reported to be his preferred destination at this point but that is said to be pending expected changes to the Spanish side's squad, such as the possible departures of Antoine Griezmann and Samuel Lion.
If he makes the move to Turkey to link up with Galatasaray, he would reunite with his former Norwich teammate Sara.
Norwich see Sainz's contract expire in 2026 and ideally, they need to get him tied down to a new contract in the coming months.
With his contract situation in mind and the form he's in, the Canaries may be able to generate a sizeable fee for him in January.
But if they lose him during the winter window, the club could struggle considerably during the second half of the season, and that's the last thing they will want.
Having already generated plenty of money from sales in the past couple of years, they should be looking to take a tough stance on Sainz.
But whether they will be able to keep the 23-year-old remains to be seen.