Jazz Richards
The Norwich City rumour mill roars on with the Canaries linked to Swansea right-back Jazz Richards. The Birmingham Mail reports that Aston Villa and Championship side Fulham are in the race for the estimated £500,000 signing.
At 24-years-old, Richards looks most likely to join City if the DeAndre Yedlin loan deal from Tottenham falls through. Richards could easily end up at Craven Cottage, where he played on loan for the second half of the season. Although the Birmingham Mail states Villa have a serious interest in the Wales international after Kieran Trippier signed for Spurs. And no, neither club has been linked to Yedlin.
Dieumerci Mbokani
Interest in Dynamo Kiev forward Dieumerci Mbokani is an intriguing rumour, especially given Norwich CEO David McNally’s pledge to look for British-based talent. The Eastern Daily Press estimated the move for around £5.5 million for the 29-year-old who scored 13 goals last campaign.
Mbokani would by City’s second DR Congo international acquired before the transfer window officially begins. City signed out of contract West Brom midfielder Youssouf Mululmbu. Mbokani has also played for AS Monaco and Anderlecht previously in his career.
Gary Hooper/Virgil van Dijk
Gary Hooper has found himself in the rumour mix since he signed from Celtic two years ago. Well, now there are reports he might be returning north. The Scotsman, The Press and Journal said City boss Alex Neil might offer Hooper in a deal that could swap the forward for the highly rated centre-back Virgil van Dijk. Originally reports (Scottish Sun) circulated that van Dijk would require a hefty £8 million price tag. As explained in a previous Carrow Crowd article, John Collins claims that van Dijk is the ‘best centre-half in Europe.’
The original source for this rumour is debatable, but it’s a potential signing growing in speculation. Given Neil’s time as Hamilton boss, he clearly knows the best prospects in the Scottish Premier League. Rather ironically, perhaps he knows enough about van Dijk to beat him, after the Accies beat Celtic at Celtic Park last year.
If the potential swap deems to be true, it might be the best move for the club. While Hooper has been a good signing for Norwich, he’s never fully fit in with the sign (perhaps leading to rumour after rumour of his departure). But now he could go back to Celtic, where he was a prolific goal scorer. In addition, that would lower the cost for Norwich’s big target this transfer period. Van Dijk, who has already been linked to Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United in past rumours, would City’s last high-profile signing since Ricky van Wolfswinkel from Sporting Lisbon. Hopefully this move is a bit more promising in the player’s debut season.
