---
title: "Championship forward linked to Canaries"
canonical: "https://readnorwich.com/2015/08/20/championship-forward-linked-canaries/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Emery"
section: "Articles"
published: "2015-08-20T11:08:56Z"
modified: "2015-08-20T11:27:23Z"
---

# Championship forward linked to Canaries

In the last few days, Norwich City have been linked with a multitude of forwards, ranging from at the time Roma striker Mattia Destro to Wolves forward Benik Afobe.

![Michael Dodge/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readnorwich.com/readnorwich/2015/08/481052654.jpg)

Nikica Jelavic is the latest name to be added to the list after the [dailymail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3202754/Norwich-eye-Hull-City-striker-Nikica-Jelavic-missing-Mattia-Destro.html) reported that Jelavic is being looked at by Alex Neil as his number 9 after a move for Mattia Destro fell through, with the Italian opting to join Bologna over Norwich.

The [dailymail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3202754/Norwich-eye-Hull-City-striker-Nikica-Jelavic-missing-Mattia-Destro.html) also reported that Norwich had considered moves for English pair Dwight Gayle and Charlie Austin but had been priced out of both deals, with Norwich apparently feeling that Jelavic better suits their budget.

Norwich have already conducted business with Hull this summer. They should know how stubborn Steve Bruce can be after the whole Robbie Brady transfer saga that ended with Norwich getting their man for £7m in the end.

It is thought that Alex Neil would like to add a central defender and another wide option alongside a new striker before the end of the month with Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly being on Alex Neil’s mind to add to the squad.

**Would Jelavic be a good fit?**

Jelavic certainly has an impressive scoring record in his career and has managed to get goals wherever he has been. However, he will turn 30 next month and his best years could well be behind him.

His 30 goals in 45 league games for Rangers is what originally put him on the radar of Premier League teams, earning him a £5m move to Everton in January 2012. He hit the ground running, scoring an astounding 11 goals in just 13 starts in the Premier League and FA Cup and ended the season as Everton’s top goal scorer. Despite only signing half way through the season.

![Paul Thomas/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readnorwich.com/readnorwich/2015/08/459415749.jpg)

The following season he began to drop off, scoring just 8 goals all season, less than what he managed in just half of the previous season. The season after that he became expendable at Everton and ended up joining Hull in the January of that season on a three and a half year deal. Jelavic went on to score 4 goals in 16 starts for Hull.

Last season, Jelavic started to show signs of what he was capable of with 8 goals in 22 starts in the Premier League, which, considering Hull’s form, was a decent return.

With Alex Neil preferring to play just one forward up top, Jelavic could suit our play style. He is an aerial threat at 6ft2 and has the strength and ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play. However, most importantly, he can take his chances in and around the penalty area.

Norwich are looking for a clinical finisher, now, some fans will disagree, some may agree. But I think that Jelavic has the potential to be that forward. That is, if he can get back to his best, and, given Alex Neil’s seeming ability to get players back to their best, could well be a realistic scenario.

Whether or not he is better than Cameron Jerome is another matter though. Jelavic in my opinion is more of a proven Premier League goalscorer, however Jerome has shown a lot of promise in the first few games that he could be up for the task.

I do however, think that he is a better option than Lewis Grabban, Neil’s current second choice and I would welcome Jelavic to the club to battle it out with Jerome for the starting position up front.