Exclusive: Don Goodman reveals Leeds United "surprise" as Josh Sargent remains at Norwich City | OneFootball

Talk over Josh Sargent’s future has died down, and he’s off to a great start under Liam Manning

As we enter the final few weeks of the summer transfer window, Josh Sargent remains a Norwich City player.

Interest has been consistently high in the striker, with promoted duo Burnley and Leeds United both monitoring his situation, according to the Pink Un.

The same outlet reported close calls with Wolfsburg, the Bundesliga side ultimately pulling out of the deal, but the USMNT star has started the season once again with the Canaries.

We asked pundit Don Goodman whether he believes the side can hold onto their star forward.

Keeping highly-rated Sargent would be huge boost for Norwich

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Goodman said: “You know, for Norwich, and their project, I would absolutely love it if they could keep him.

“I'm really, really surprised, actually. I thought a Premier League club, like a Leeds United, or one of those, may have made Norwich an offer that was acceptable in terms of their valuation of Josh Sargent.

“Because I do rate him highly: clever movement, clinical finisher, already got a couple of goals.

“And the new management regime has been hailing him in terms of his professionalism, in terms of his attitude, in terms of what a great example he is to the rest of the squad.

“So, they'll have a much better chance of a successful season if they're able to keep him in Norwich than if they lose him.”

Manning will hope to get a shot with Sargent

Liam Manning took over at Carrow Road from Johannes Hoff Thorup, so is still acclimatising to Sargent and his game.

They’re already off to a great start, however, with the US star having netted in their Championship opener against Millwall, and again in their Carabao Cup first-round bout with Watford.

Sargent has been a consistently key supplier of goals for the Canaries, hitting double figures in the league in each of his last three seasons.

That’s a big contribution to replace, and time is quickly running out for Norwich to seek a replacement should he depart.

Time is running out for Norwich to sell Sargent this window

To get in a talented, high-profile striker capable of replacing Sargent is no easy feat, and it will be even harder if Sargent departs, as other teams will know that Manning’s side are in desperate need and use that as leverage.

A sale now, with the season already underway, would make life difficult for Norwich in seeking that replacement.

And the striker is under contract until 2028, so they are not obligated to sell this summer, and it won’t affect his value too much if they opt to keep him around for another 12 months.

As noted by Goodman, his professionalism may allow the club to convince him to commit another year of his career to the club without the player kicking up a fuss, especially if a route out is not clear.

Under a new boss in Manning, who achieved the play-offs with Bristol City last term against greater odds, Sargent may well see the benefits of giving promotion one last shot with the Canaries.