Norwich City still face Borja Sainz transfer fear as February 3rd looms | OneFootball

Sainz has been the subject of transfer interest this month, as Canaries supporters face an anxious end to the winter window.

Norwich City face an anxious end to the January transfer window as they hope to retain the services of star winger Borja Sainz.

The Canaries have endured a season of mixed fortunes in the Championship so far this term, as inconsistent results and performances have seen them struggle to close the gap to the play-off places in recent weeks.

Expectations are always high at Carrow Road, as anything less than a play-off finish will likely be seen as a disappointing season by many Yellows supporters.

A number of the club's summer signings haven't totally hit the ground running during the first half of the campaign, meaning the pressure is on manager Johannes Hoff Thorup to record a strong winter window this month.

Keeping hold of starman Sainz will certainly go a long way to achieving that, but that's no guarantee as the 3 February deadline moves ever closer.

The Championship is no longer a league where you can hide top talents. If a player is shining in the second tier, clubs from top leagues across world football will be well aware of it.

As such, it's no surprise to see Sainz linked with a potential move to a top European league this month, as Spanish La Liga outfit Girona are said to be interested in the 23-year-old.

Should they wish to secure his signature before the end of the window, it's reported that it would cost them between €20-25m euros/£16.9-21.m, with Norwich said to be willing to listen to offers for their star wideman, but only if the price is right.

Having arrived from Turkish side Giresunspor in July 2023 on a free transfer, after a clause in his contract enabled him to leave for nothing following the club's relegation from Turkey's top flight.

Therefore, should Norwich cash in on Sainz this month, they would be set to turn a huge profit on the former Spanish youth international, and would potentially help fuel a big summer of spending at Carrow Road.

Norwich City must either sell Sainz now, or not at all

We're now at the stage of the January transfer window where if a player is sold, clubs do not have the luxury of time to source a replacement for them.

As such, Norwich must now make up their minds about what they're doing with regard to Sainz' future this month, as a player of his quality and importance to the team would surely have to be replaced if they want to stand a real chance of cracking the top six in the second half of the season.

Despite receiving a six-game suspension on 10 January for a spitting incident in Norwich's match vs Sunderland on 21 December, Sainz still remains the Championship's top scorer with 15 entering into matchday 28 of the season.

That's an indication as to how prolific he's been for Norwich so far this season, and a testament to his importance regarding the outlook of the club's season depending on whether he stays or goes this month.

But with time running out in the window, the Canaries must now either sell and give themselves enough time to find his replacement - if one isn't already lined up, that is -, or close the shutters on Sainz' shop window.