- Norwich are in the market to strengthen their squad this summer.
- The free agent market has produced some gems for the club over the years.
- Five out of contract players the Canaries could target.
Norwich City are looking to bolster Philippe Clement’s squad this summer ahead of a promotion push from the Championship next season.
The free agent market should never be overlooked heading into a window because there are some gems that can be extracted, remember Teemu Pukki?
With that in mind, here are five potential free transfer signings that Ben Knapper and Clement could target this summer…
Jonathan Panzo
Birmingham City recently confirmed that Jonathan Panzo is set to become a free agent when his contract at St. Andrew’s expires this summer.
Norwich are looking for a left-footed player to compete with Jose Cordoba at centre-back, and Panzo fits that description.
The 25-year-old defender, who joined Birmingham in January, played eight times in the second half of the season, and played in a 2-1 win over Norwich, making 14 clearances and winning five of his seven duels.
He is left-footed, English and would not need an ESC slot, has Championship experience, and is heading into the peak years of his career.
This one could make a lot of sense for the Canaries if they want a solid back-up to Cordoba in the left centre-back role.
Dennis Cirkin
Dennis Cirkin was already included in our list of potential left-back targets, so he had to make this list as well, given that he is due to become a free agent this summer.
The Latvian full-back played 36 times in the Championship last season to help Sunderland earn promotion to the Premier League, but has only played eight top-flight games this term.
Like Panzo, Cirkin would be a signing in a position Norwich need, at left-back, and arrive with Championship experience at a good age, 24.
There could be plenty of competition for the Black Cats full-back, though, given his experience in getting promoted from the division last year.
Billy Mitchell
After Sam Field returns to QPR this summer, Norwich will need to dip into the market to sign a new defensive midfielder, as Mirko Topic is not expected back from his ACL injury until near the end of pre-season.
That could make Millwall defensive midfielder Billy Mitchell an attractive target if he becomes available this summer.
The Lions are currently in talks over a new contract with the 26-year-old star, but there is still the possibility that he decides to test out the waters as a free agent.
Mitchell played 29 times in the Championship this season and won 56% of both his ground duels and aerial duels, which shows that he could arrive at Carrow Road as a reliable defensive-minded midfielder.
Alex Kral
Sticking on the defensive midfielder path, Alex Kral is set to become a free agent when his contract at Union Berlin expires.
He has only started two of his 20 appearances in the Bundesliga this season, but did start 29 times in LaLiga for Espanyol in the 2024/25 campaign.
During his time in Spain, the Czechia international won 54% of his ground duels and 57% of his aerial duels, whilst averaging 2.3 tackles and interceptions per game.
The 27-year-old could arrive as an experienced, given his 48 caps for Czechia and experience in the Premier League, Bundesliga, and LaLiga, option to replace Field.
Given his experience, though, there could be a lot of competition for his services and it may not be an easy deal for Norwich to complete.
Max Lowe
Rounding off this list, Sheffield Wednesday left-back Max Lowe could be an interesting option if Clement wants another experienced, but reliable, left-back to allow Ben Chrisene or Lucien Mahovo to start when fit.
Now 28, the English defender has racked up 149 Championship appearances in his career and played 62 times in the division in the past two seasons.
Lowe would not be a majorly exciting signing or one with a view to a future in the Premier League, but there is some logic to signing a reliable and experienced left-back to provide cover when the main two are unavailable.
