Norwich City must challenge Rangers for Chelsea playmaker to fill Gabriel Sara void: View | OneFootball

Johannes Hoff Thorup's side need a new creative outlet to replace Gabriel Sara, despite the signing of Forson Amankwah from RB Salzburg

There is plenty going on at Norwich City when it comes to potential high-profile outgoings from the club, in what remains of the summer transfer window.

On Saturday, winger Jonathan Rowe ruled himself out of the Canaries' matchday squad for their clash with Oxford United, amid a bid for his signature from Marseille, with Leeds United also linked.

Meanwhile, Adam Idah, who was on the bench at the Kassam Stadium at the weekend, has been the subject of offer from Celtic, after his loan spell with the club last season.

But while potential exits for those two players remain up in the air, one individual whose absence Norwich are already having to cope with, is Gabriel Sara.

Galatasaray swoop for Gabriel Sara leaves Norwich City short of creativity

Earlier this month, it was announced that Sara has left Carrow Road, in order to complete a move to Galatasaray.

It has been reported that the Turkish side will pay at least £20million to the Canaries for the 25-year-old, which could increase by a further £3 million with add-ons.

With confirmation of that deal, Sara's time with Norwich has come to an end after two years with the club, having joined from Sao Paulo in his native Brazil back in the summer of 2022.

During those two years in the Championship, the attacking midfielder scored 21 goals and provided 17 assists in 91 appearances in all competitions for the East Anglian outfit.

That playmaking influence is something that will undoubtedly be missed at Carrow Road, and despite the addition of Ghanaian midfielder Amankwah Forson recently from Red Bull Salzburg, there's an argument to be had that Johannes Hoff Thorup needs more.

And with sporting director Ben Knapper's previous job at Arsenal giving him Premier League links, he should perhaps be considering a raid on Chelsea to bring in a talented youngster for the rest of the 2024-25 season.

Norwich should raid Chelsea for playmaker Leo Castledine

Considering how important he had been to the club, Sara will no doubt have to be replaced if the Canaries are to push on this season.

As a result, it could make sense for them to look into a move for Chelsea's Leo Castledine, who according to reports, is a loan target for Scottish giants Rangers, and several Championship clubs.

In the circumstances, it would seem to make sense for Norwich to ensure they are one of those second tier sides who are pursuing a deal for the 18-year-old.

The teenager already has an impressive record in terms of goals and assists for Chelsea at youth level, which was enough to earn him a first-team debut last season.

That ability to both create and finish chances in the same way that Sara did for the Canaries, could make him a more than useful replacement for the Brazilian at Carrow Road.

Meanwhile, the pedigree and potential he has shown in making his way through the ranks at a club such as Chelsea, should also offer confidence that he can make an impact in the Championship.

The level of interest there is in him also backs that up, though it could be hard for Norwich to get this deal done amid those links with a club expected to compete for trophies such as Rangers.

However, the fact that he could stay in England with a move to Norwich may work in their favour, given he may settle more comfortably than by making a move to Ibrox.

Beyond that, winning this transfer race would certainly be a coup for the club, and potentially an important.

Such success in the market would certainly be helpful in terms of lifting the mood around Carrow Road, after the concerns of that opening day loss to Oxford, and uncertainty over Rowe and Idah.

Indeed, with Castledine capable of playing in a range of attacking roles, bringing him in could be vital if there does prove to be further departures beyond Sara in that area of the pitch.

Admittedly, this deal would seemingly be a loan move, all that suggests the Chelsea man would be a useful stop-gap that buys the club time to find a longer-term replacement to the 25-year-old.

With all that in mind, it therefore seems vital that Norwich make sure they are in that race with Rangers for the loan signing of Castledine in the next few weeks.