Exclusive: Burnley FC join transfer race for 15-goal Norwich City star as Leeds United stance becomes clearer | OneFootball

Burnley are the latest club to register an interest in Norwich City talisman Josh Sargent, Football League World understands

Burnley have joined fellow newly-promoted Premier League outfit Leeds United in the race for Norwich City's Josh Sargent, sources have exclusively revealed to Football League World.

The Canaries are poised to face an uphill battle to retain Sargent's services this summer, with the 25-year-old appearing increasingly likely to depart Carrow Road following yet another impressive campaign in the Championship.

Despite missing more than two months of action during the 2024/25 season after undertaking surgery for a groin injury back in November, Sargent still managed to return 15 goals and five assists from 32 appearances at a rate of 0.54 strikes per 90 minutes, further establishing himself among the second-tier's most clinical and dangerous centre-forwards.

Alongside prolific Spanish winger Borja Sainz, he caught the eye in a disappointing season for Norwich, as the Canaries failed to follow up on the previous term's run to the play-offs and ended up finishing in 13th position under caretaker boss Jack Wilshere.

That has cast considerable doubt over Sargent's future, which now hangs very much in the balance as top-flight clubs continue to track the sought-after forward ahead of a potential summer swoop.

Burnley join Norwich City, Josh Sargent transfer race as Leeds United stance becomes clearer

Sources close to FLW have revealed that Burnley are now in the race for Sargent's signature, with the 28-cap United States international thought to be of interest to Scott Parker as he bids to bolster the squad at Turf Moor and offer the Clarets the strongest possible chance of bridging the gap between English football's top two tiers.

FLW also understands that while 2024/25 Championship winners Leeds remain interested in Sargent, the Canaries star is not currently viewed as a top target by the key decision-makers at Elland Road.

Burnley and Leeds are among a number of clubs to have been credited with an interest in recent times. Earlier this month, Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reported that Serie A giants Roma are interested in Sargent, while unnamed clubs in Germany and the MLS have also been linked with the striker.

It's said that Norwich are "relaxed" about Sargent's future in Norfolk, as he remains under contract until 2028.

This means that Norwich, who shelled out a reported £8 million sum to acquire Sargent from German outfit Werder Bremen four years ago, are under no direct pressure to sell and can negotiate any potential sale on their terms, which will likely net them a rather handsome profit.

Norwich City must start preparing for life without Josh Sargent as Burnley FC interest emerges

Although Norwich do not necessarily need to sell Sargent, it's still rather difficult to see him remaining as part of the squad under new head coach Liam Manning by the time next season rolls around.

Sargent has improved year-on-year since joining the Canaries and has perhaps outgrown the Championship now, as evidenced by the volume of top-flight interest.

Given just how far Norwich were off from even competing for promotion last term, there is every chance that the ex-Werder Bremen attacker will now want to test himself at top-flight level, and it's hard to say he hasn't merited that opportunity.

Therefore, Norwich ought to start planning for life without their star striker, who will command a fee that will leave them with no shortage of funds to reinvest throughout the playing squad and into a direct replacement, too.