Norwich City must be on red alert to Southampton situation as big Philippe Clement blow revealed | OneFootball

Norwich City will be eyeing up a winger after Ali Ahmed's unfortunate injury, and they should look at bringing in Sam Edozie

Norwich City won't have wanted to be in the market for a new left-winger this summer, but the unfortunate injury to Ali Ahmed has almost forced the Canaries to continue their transfer business past the opening day of the season.

Philippe Clement was in an enviable situation amongst Championship managers last month, stating in early July that he wasn't expecting many more transfers, following moves for Andre Brooks, Sam Field and Bruno Alves.

Darlin Yongwa has since come in on a free transfer to add depth to the full-back position, but arguably, that was the final piece of the puzzle, as Norwich look to push on in Clement's first full season in charge and challenge for promotion.

Unfortunately, they've suffered an early setback, as Canadian winger Ali Ahmed, who was influential in the second half of last season after he arrived from Vancouver Whitecaps, ruptured his ACL in their pre-season friendly against Osasuna, an injury which will likely see him out for the whole season.

Norwich City should offer career reset for Samuel Edozie

Action Images

With frontman Mo Toure taking Ahmed's 21 number this season as a showing of solidarity, that all but confirms that the 25-year-old likely won't be playing a part in the 2026/27 campaign.

Early reports from Italy suggested that Bologna's Benjamin Dominguez was on their radar, but perhaps they should look a little closer to home and offer a career rest for Southampton's Samuel Edozie.

It's been a frustrating four years for the former Manchester City academy starlet following his £10 million move to the south coast.

The 23-year-old struggled to hit the ground running in the Premier League, but was useful as a bench option for Russell Martin in the 2023/24 Championship campaign, netting six times en route to promotion via the play-offs.

Since that promotion, though, he's struggled to maintain his place in the Saints fold. He was loaned out to Anderlecht during the 2024/25 term, and didn't make his first appearance last season until February, starting just three of the 18 games he played in all competitions.

Edozie was a victim of the strong squad depth that Southampton had last year going forward under Tonda Eckert, and that's only increased this summer, too, with the £9 million arrival of Lewis Dobbin and the imminent loan signing of Manchester City's Divin Mubama.

The 23-year-old's future on the South Coast is clearly uncertain, and Norwich should be primed to take advantage - with numerous unnamed second-tier suitors already interested, as per recent reports.

Norwich City could provide the environment for Samuel Edozie to reach his potential

Action Images

Norwich have developed a knack over the past few years of being a place where young attacking players can come and develop, and Edozie should see that as a real positive if the Canaries went in for him to fill Ahmed's role this season.

The likes of Oscar Schwartau, Mo Toure and Jovan Makama have come on leaps and bounds in the past 12 months at Carrow Road, the former two especially under Clement.

Similarly, Anis Ben Slimane is someone who Philippe Clement is bringing the best out of, too. The Tunisian had a rough first year at Carrow Road and didn't emerge into the squad last year until January due to a quad injury.

Ben Slimane, in a way, is like Edozie, having been unfavoured in his early 20s at Sheffield United, who brought him in while they were a Premier League club. The Southampton attacker is in need of a fresh start, like the Tunisian was in 2024, and could follow in his footsteps.

Southampton may be wary of sanctioning a deal with Norwich City - Canaries could strike gold if it goes through, though

Action Images

Edozie is out of contract at the end of the season, and with his place in the pecking order lower than it was last year, there's every possibility that Southampton could look to make some money by selling him before his deal runs out.

However, the Saints' primary focus this year is to get out of the Championship, following their expulsion from the play-offs last year, as their Premier League parachute payments dry up this summer.

Norwich have the same goals, especially given that only Tonda Eckert's side picked up more points in 2026 than they did. The Canaries have that wave of momentum, and replicating that across a whole season could see Philippe Clement's side gatecrash a top two party come May.

So, with Edozie still harnessing plenty of untapped potential, Southampton could be wary about offloading him to a direct rival. If Norwich did prove to be the scene for a career revival, it could cost the Saints their place in the Premier League.