Leeds United plotting move to sign Norwich City winger - He could be Daniel Farke's 1st summer signing | OneFootball

Sainz has been linked with a move to the Whites

Newly-promoted Leeds United are claimed to be tracking standout Norwich City winger Borja Sainz ahead of the summer transfer window as they prepare to the return to the Premier League next season, according to a new report.

The Whites clinched Championship promotion on Monday as Burnley beat Sheffield United, following their own thrashing of Stoke City earlier in the day. Transfer preparations will now begin as Daniel Farke looks to bolster his ranks in the hope of being competitive in the top-flight.

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 attacker in the second-tier.

He has suffered a slight downturn of form in the second-half of the season, but is clearly set to be in-demand this summer, with Leeds now believed to have joined the race for his services.

Leeds United are interested in Borja Sainz - he has impressed in the Championship

24-year-old Sainz 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 outstanding campaign began to falter in the lead-up to his December suspension for spitting, but he still attracted widespread transfer attention in January as a result of his impressive performances. He now looks to be back playing similarly to his early-season self as the Championship season draws to a close, with a move away from Carrow Road surely on the horizon.

Leeds are set to be in the market for attacking additions this summer, as they look to bridge the gap and compete properly in their return to the Premier League, and transfer reporter Graeme Bailey named Sainz when asked by Leeds United News for players to keep an eye on ahead of the Whites’ summer window.

It certainly looks as if Leeds could make an approach for the Spaniard, and they may even make it a double Norwich summer swoop, with USA international striker Josh Sargent also linked with a move to Elland Road.

Sainz has been linked away from Norwich - he wants to play in the Premier League

It feels as if Sainz already has one foot out of the door at Carrow Road, especially given his form and the Canaries' drop-off over recent months that has seen boss Johannes Hoff Thorup lose his job this week.

The 24-year-old has just one year left on his current contract, with no agreement yet reached to extend his deal any further, so Norwich will surely be looking to sell him for a sizeable this summer before he is able to agree to leave on a free transfer next winter.

Leeds are not set to be alone in their pursuit of his services, after January saw Serie A outfit Napoli 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.

He has stuck around at Carrow Road to see out the campaign, but with promotion now impossible following their poor run of form, it does look as if a summer exit is very likely. Sainz himself has added fuel to the fire around talk of his departure recently, as he admitted in an interview with FourFourTwo that he "want(s) to play in the Premier League."

Leeds clinched promotion earlier this week, and so after that revelation, they seem to be in a strong position to land Sainz this summer if they wish to make an approach for his signature.