Norwich City launch six-figure transfer bid for Swindon Town player | OneFootball

Norwich City have reportedly made a bid for Swindon Town forward Botan Ameen.

Norwich City have reportedly made a bid to sign highly-rated Swindon Town forward Botan Ameen.

According to The Moonraker, after initiating contact with Swindon last week, Norwich have made a six-figure bid for Ameen, who is said to have been monitored by a host of Premier League and Championship clubs in recent months.

Ameen scored on his senior debut for the Robins in their 4-0 win over Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy in October, and as Ian Holloway's side moved further away from the relegation zone in League Two, he was given more first-team opportunities over the course of the season.

Holloway handed Ameen his first start in the 3-3 draw at Cheltenham Town in March, and he then netted his first senior goal in the 4-0 win at play-off chasing Grimsby Town the following month, just days before his 18th birthday.

Swindon are hoping to tie Ameen down to his first professional contract, but no agreement has yet been reached with the forward, who was nominated for the League Two Apprentice of the Season award, and that could open the door for other clubs to make a move.

Norwich City make offer for Swindon Town's Botan Ameen

Ameen has emerged on the radar of a host of Premier League and Championship clubs in recent months, but it seems Norwich have been the first to table a formal bid for the youngster as they look to bring him to Carrow Road.

Speaking about his situation last month, Ameen said that "it would be a pleasure" to sign a new contract with Swindon, but he admitted he is unsure whether he will commit his future to the club, and he insisted he would not rush into a decision.

Holloway has been full of praise for Ameen, predicting that "he is going to be a fantastic footballer", but while the Robins boss conceded that the forward will likely attract significant interest this summer, he revealed he has not given up hope of keeping him at the County Ground.

"I am delighted that he is with us, and I would like to keep him, but with the way football is these days, I have put my hat in the ring," Holloway told the Swindon Advertiser last month.

"We could keep him, but I want him to want to be here, and that is the difference.

"Loads of people will be looking, but I want to be part of his development, and I hope that they feel the same way. If they don’t, then I couldn’t have done any more.

"I have seen so many talented boys like him not use what they have got, they get lost in a system that doesn’t work. They have got so many young ones they spoil and pay all sorts of money to, and they are not the player they should be. I don’t want that to happen to this young lad.

"I think that I have got some cards in my top pocket that I might be able to show them."

Norwich City could be the perfect destination for Botan Ameen

Holloway is understandably keen to keep hold of Ameen, but the longer the wait for him to sign a new contract at Swindon goes on, the more likely it is he will be on the move this summer, particularly as bids are now coming in for him.

Norwich switched their focus to bringing in younger players last summer as they looked to lower the average of their squad, and while they recently parted company with Johannes Hoff Thorup, they are likely to continue with a similar project under whoever takes over as their new head coach.

With that in mind, Ameen could get plenty of first-team opportunities if he makes the move to Carrow Road, and while he may potentially be the subject of offers from Premier League clubs this summer, joining the Canaries could be the best option at this stage of his career.