- Norwich City sold the defender to the Premier League side.
- The Canaries may need to add full-backs to their squad this summer.
- Assessing if a deal makes sense for Philippe Clement’s team.
Norwich City manager Philippe Clement could be in the market to make some changes to his defence this summer.
The Canaries are already looking to sign a left-sided centre-back to bolster the squad, and are reportedly in talks with Dundee over a deal for Luke Graham.
Signing competition for Jose Cordoba on the left side of the defence may not be the only addition to the backline in the transfer window, though, as there are other areas that need attention.
Norwich City’s full-back situation
Ben Knapper and Clement have to sign a left-back ahead of the 2026/27 campaign after the issues that they had in that position this season.
Ben Chrisene and Lucien Mahovo combined for 17 starts in the Championship, as they both missed far too many matches through injury.
Kellen Fisher had to cover at left-back 16 times in total, whilst Jeffrey Schlupp and Liam Gibbs also filled in at times.
Signing a left-back to ensure that Norwich are not left with a makeshift option in that position on a regular basis next term is, therefore, a priority for the upcoming window.
City may also have to be in the market for a new right-back if things do not go their way, as Everton are reportedly keen on Fisher.
It also remains to be seen whether or not Jack Stacey would be keen on being a back-up to Fisher, should he stay, for a third season running.
The right-back Norwich fans want to see signed
In our piece on why Norwich should look to bring Lewis Dobbin back to Carrow Road, we looked at how supporters always like to see a homecoming transfer.
A transfer window never goes by without swathes of fans taking to social media to suggest a former player as the ideal target for Norwich.
Right-back Max Aarons, who was sold to Bournemouth for an initial £9m in 2023, is that player this summer.
Earlier this month, fuelled by some posts from less than reputable accounts on X, supporters got excited about the possibility of a return to Norfolk for the experienced full-back.
Aarons is returning to Premier League side Bournemouth this summer after a difficult season on loan at Rangers, and looks set to move on from the Cherries in the coming months.
Does it make sense for Norwich?
Whilst it is fun to think about Aarons coming back to Norwich for a second spell after he came through the academy to win two Championship titles, it is not a move that makes much sense for him or the club.
From his perspective, going back to the Canaries could be viewed as a step back. He is reportedly being looked at by Villarreal and Porto, who will be in European competitions next season.
Turning down the chance to play for a big European team like Porto or potential Champions League football with Villarreal to return to Norwich would be an emotional decision, rather than a logical one.
From Norwich’s perspective, it may not make much sense for them because his recent form does not suggest that he would be the same player he once was.
Aarons only started eight of his 21 appearances in the league for Rangers and failed to provide a single assist, whilst averaging less than one tackle and less than one interception per game.
If Norwich needed a back-up right-back to replace Stacey, the former Canaries star would be a great addition to compete with Fisher.
However, it would not make much, if any, sense for the former England U21 international to turn down the likes of Porto and Villarreal to be a back-up in the Championship.
A nice idea… but one that does not make much sense for either party in reality.
