Exclusive: Sky pundit reacts to 'huge' Josh Sargent, Norwich City update as West Ham lurk | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has told FLW his verdict on Josh Sargent's future at Norwich ahead of January market

Lee Hendrie has claimed that Norwich City have to keep hold of Josh Sargent in the upcoming January transfer window amid interest from West Ham.

According to Football Insider, the Hammers sent scouts to watch the forward during the weekend as Philippe Clement oversaw his first game as manager.

Sporting director Ben Knapper has claimed that the Norfolk outfit have no intention of letting the American go, with the team currently embroiled in a relegation battle.

The Canaries have endured a difficult start to the season, which has led to a change in manager after the first 15 games.

Clement’s first match in charge saw Norwich lose 4-1 to Birmingham City, with Sargent now reaching 12 league games in a row without a goal.

Lee Hendrie issues warning to Norwich about Josh Sargent’s future

Hendrie has claimed that it is crucial for Sargent to remain with the club beyond the January window given his importance to the side.

The Sky Sports pundit believes that it would be a major step backwards for new manager Clement if the 25-year-old was sold just a number of weeks into his reign as manager.

“I think they’re going to need him to stay, to be quite honest,” Hendrie exclusively told Football League World.

“He’s certainly been their go-to man as the season’s gone by, and such a big player for them.

“New man coming in wants to play to their strengths and he is their strength, so you start losing the likes of Josh you feel that’s a massive backwards step for Norwich.

“So it’s huge that they keep hold of him this season, and I said they start turning a corner and he’s got to be a main, key part of that.”

Sargent has been a key figure for Norwich since their relegation to the Championship in 2022, scoring 13, 16 and 15 goals in the last three campaigns.

However, he has struggled to find the back of the net as consistently this season, having now gone 12 games in a row without a goal.

Norwich have fallen to 23rd in the table as a result, with the 4-1 loss to the Blues on Saturday leaving them five points adrift of safety.

Next up for Clement’s side is a home clash against 21st place Oxford United on Tuesday evening in a 7.45pm kick-off, with the Canaries seeking their first positive home result of the campaign.

Norwich cannot afford Josh Sargent sale in January

Sargent has a contract with Norwich until the summer of 2028, so there is no immediate need to cash in on those terms.

Of course, if a big enough offer comes in from a club like West Ham then it will be very tempting to sell.

However, Norwich cannot afford to let someone go with such a proven track record of goals at this level given their current run of form.

The team has already struggled with the departures of Borja Sainz and Marcelino Nunez in the summer, so letting a forward of Sargent’s calibre go could be a massive detriment in their bid to survive in the Championship.