"In excess of £20m" - Pundit makes Josh Sargent claim as Brentford eye Ivan Toney replacement | OneFootball

Norwich City have made an impressive start to 2024, which has seen them to within a point of the play-offs at present.

David Wagner will be hoping to use his previous experience of winning promotion via the post-season showdown to good effect, and reclaim the Canaries' Premier League status after a two-year absence.

Norwich have had goalscoring and creative threats from all angles this season, most predominantly in the form of Jonathan Rowe, who is currently sidelined, as well as Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Sara, who has unsurprisingly attracted interest from sides in the top flight and on the continent given his continuous string of impressive performances.

Another man who has aided Norwich's run towards the top six since the turn of the year has been Josh Sargent, but he has also attracted interest from Premier League sides.

That's according to Alan Nixon via his Patreon account, as the journalist claims that the USMNT international is on the radar of Brentford as a possible replacement for Ivan Toney.

Here at FLW, we quizzed former England international Carlton Palmer for his thoughts on the potential transfer development, as well as his valuation of the former Werder Bremen man.

"Brentford are currently running the rule over Norwich City striker Josh Sargent, as they prepare for life without Ivan Toney this summer," he began.

"It's expected that Ivan Toney will move on for big money, so Brentford are looking at the 24-year-old as a replacement.

"Although he's missed a large part of the season through injury, he's enjoying a good season with the Canaries. Last season he got 13 goals in 40 games and is on course to better that this season, with 11 goals in just 15 appearances," Palmer continued.

"But, Brentford won't get him cheap. He's under contract at Norwich until 2028, and would have to pay in excess of £20m if they want to acquire his services," he claimed.

"Obviously, we know Toney will be going for £60-80m, so £20m wouldn't be a problem for Brentford."

Carlton Palmer issues Norwich City verdict amid ongoing play-off battle

Palmer also believes that, regardless of any outside noise, the American must concentrate on scoring the goals which could be an ultimate difference-maker between whether Norwich are to make the play-offs or not.

"Norwich are battling to get in the play-offs. Should they not get there, they would be looking to bring in the funds to rebuild and go again next season," he added.

"But they're on a great run at the moment, winning four out of their last six games, drawing the other two and are a point off the play-off places.

"If they want to keep Sargent, they'll have to get into the Premier League, because that's where everybody wants to play, and I'm sure Josh will be looking to do that, but he could fire the goals that see them into the play-offs.

Palmer concluded: "Norwich should be worried though. Given the form he's in, there's a chance they could lose him. But they're holding all the cards with him being under contract for a lengthy period of time."

Norwich City should hold a strong stance on Josh Sargent's future

As previously mentioned, the fact Sargent has another four years remaining on his deal at Carrow Road should give the Norwich hierarchy more than enough bargaining power in any potential deal.

They should also factor into account the large number of successes Brentford have had when acquiring talents from the EFL before moving them on for a significant profit, such as Said Benrahma and Ollie Watkins.

Since his return from injury, Sargent has netted seven times in 11 Championship games, reminding everybody of his ability at this level, and if he was to return to the top flight he'd have a point to prove after a below-par campaign back in 2021/22 where he scored just twice in 26 games as the Canaries finished rock-bottom.