How Barcelona or Bayern Munich could play role in Borja Sainz's Norwich City exit | OneFootball

The Basque Country is reported to be the most likely landing spot for Sainz this summer.

A move back to Athletic Bilbao for Norwich forward Borja Sainz could be dependent on another star player moving on from the Basque side to one of the world's biggest clubs.

Vast amounts of European interest in the 24-year-old make the chances of Sainz staying to work with Liam Manning next season slim. That is according to The Pink Un. They have reported that the Spaniard is expected to leave Carrow Road this summer without suitors right across the continent lining up to purchase him this summer.

Norwich have already rejected bids for Sainz this summer, from Napoli and Porto. Ben Knapper, the Canaries' sporting director, confirmed this in Manning's first press conference since being appointed as the new head coach of his local boyhood club.

The reported £12.7 million offers were swiftly turned down. Knapper stated that the proposals didn't meet Norwich's valuation of the 18-goal attacker.

According to Pink Un, Sainz would like a move back to Athletic Bilbao, the club that he started his career with. The Norfolk outlet previously said that the La Liga outfit were the most likely side to seal a deal for Sainz this summer.

A move back to his home region of Spain may not be so simple, however, as it could be dependent on one of the club's own young stars moving on to one of the biggest teams in the world this summer.

Borja Sainz, Athletic Bilbao move hinges on the departure of Nico Williams

22-year-old Nico Williams, who people from this country may only know from his Euro 2024 final goal against England, is wanted by Barcelona and Bayern Munich this summer.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the winger has given the green light to a move to Barca and is prioritising a move to Camp Nou over the Allianz Stadium. Bilbao, however, are not willingly letting Williams leave and have a new contract offer ready for him, per Romano.

The club's unique recruitment strategy, of only signing players from the Basque Country, which Sainz is from, allows them to offer huge wages to their players. Williams is already estimated by Capology to be earning just over €200,000 (~ £170,000) per week. A new deal for him could see him earn in the region of €250,000 (~ £210,000) per week.

If Williams goes, Sainz is seen as a strong option to come in and replace the 22-year-old, though they will have to fight the likes of Napoli and Porto, who, according to Pink Un, are expected to come back with new offers following their first rejected proposals to Norwich for Sainz.

Selling Borja Sainz should be seriously considered by Norwich

Even if the opportunity to return to Bilbao falls through, there are going to be plenty of options on the table for Sainz this summer. He only has one year left on his deal and so the Canaries have to be realistic about their chances of holding onto him beyond the 2025/26 campaign.

The good thing about all these European names being interested in the Spaniard is that Norwich should be able to pit them against one another and drive the asking price up a little bit further. Cashing in on him will probably do more good than risking him leaving as a free agent.