Norwich City star Marcelino Nunez slammed amid "shocking" £10m Ipswich Town transfer revelation | OneFootball

FLW's Norwich City Fan Pundit didn't hold back any feelings about the Chilean's imminent move

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Norwich City have reportedly agreed to sell midfielder Marcelino Nunez to bitter East Anglian rivals Ipswich Town.

Marking the first direct transfer between the clubs in more than two decades - Andy Marshall to Ipswich in 2001 - the deal is worth up to £10m, according to The Telegraph's John Percy.

Percy also reported that the Canaries are set to sign Pelle Mattsson from Danish club Silkeborg for £2.7m, who is most likely Nunez's replacement, yet that hasn't really softened the blow for fans of the Norfolk club.

The Chilean international rejected two contract offers from Norwich and is entering the final year of his current deal, and has apparently pushed for the transfer to go through, as per Percy's tweet.

Marcelino Nunez to Ipswich Town is "one of" the most shocking pieces of news ever for Norwich City

When asked about his reaction to the transfer, FLW's Norwich City Fan Pundit, Zeke Downes, didn't hold back his feelings about what he considers one of the most shocking developments in the club's history.

"I think it goes without saying that it’s a big disappointment. It’s one of the most shocking pieces of news that has come out of the club, probably ever," Downes told FLW.

"It’s one thing a player like Godfrey leaving and playing for another club and then signing for Ipswich, but it’s a complete other thing having a player that’s a starter, probably the best midfielder at the club.

"He’s scored against Ipswich in the East Anglian derby, so it’s another thing him leaving us, rejecting two contracts because he wants to leave, which is fair enough in itself but the fact that he is going to be joining Ipswich is crazy - and that’s not something that should ever happen, especially not when we’re in the same league."

£10m fee does not soften Norwich City blow of losing Marcelino Nunez to Ipswich Town

While Downes does acknowledge the financial logic behind the deal, he questions whether any amount justifies selling a player of his quality to your fiercest rivals.

"The only thing that sort of makes sense is the fact that it’s a lot of money for a guy that’s got one year left on his deal, so that’s obviously why the club have accepted the fee but you shouldn't really ever sell one of your best players to your rival," Zeke added.

There's no denying that the £10 million fee - which includes £7.5 million up-front and the rest in achievable bonuses - is incredible value for a player with less than 12 months on his contract, but it's all just too difficult to accept for Downes.

"It’s a very odd situation, and I didn’t really expect it from Nunez," said Zeke.

"He seemed like the sort of character that would be happy to stay and do his best, and especially with the fact that he’s really close to Onel Hernandez - and obviously we’ve seen what he’s had to say about this whole thing.

"So, it’s a massive shock, but we are obviously going to receive a big fee, a fee that’s very high, it’s probably what he’s worth but not with one year left on his deal with some injury issues as well

"Crazy news. and it sort of leaves a big hole in our midfield and the fans obviously aren’t happy with it and it could cause a bit of uproar," he concluded.

Nunez is reportedly out for several weeks after sustaining an ankle injury in Norwich's win at Portsmouth. Boss Liam Manning told BBC Radio Norfolk that the club were "fortunate it wasn't more serious."

You could argue about the ifs and buts around the transfer not happening depending on the length of his injury, but this is obviously a huge moment in the history between the two sides.

Norwich travel to Portman Road