Norwich City struck gold with £250k bargain - he could be worth 'minimum £15m' in today's money | OneFootball

FLW's Norwich City fan pundit has given his verdict on Wes Hoolahan's potential transfer value in 2025

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Wes Hoolohan was a huge fan favourite during his 10-year stint with Norwich City from 2008 to 2018.

It was reported at the time of his arrival that he cost £250,000 to make the switch from Blackpool, moving from one Championship side to another.

The playmaker had a difficult first year at Carrow Road, with the Canaries suffering relegation from the second division, but he went on to play a pivotal role in their promotion from League One in the following season.

The Irishman then went on to play 112 times in the Premier League for Norwich, as they again earned promotion in 2011 under Paul Lambert.

He contributed an impressive 12 goals and 19 assists in the top flight during his time with the Norfolk outfit, earning plaudits for his performances at the club.

Wes Hoolan’s transfer potential in 2025

When asked what Hoolahan would’ve been worth now if he was playing, FLW’s Norwich fan pundit Zeke Downes claimed he could’ve gone for around £15m-£20m.

He expressed his love for the Irishman, citing him as his idol when he first got into football, highlighting the key traits that made the playmaker such an enjoyable player to watch.

“Wes Hoolahan, he was my idol when I was properly getting into football,” Downes told Football League World.

“He was the man, sort of 2008-ish when I really started to like watching it and going to the stadium and watching games, and he ran the show.

“I would say a player of his ability, and the fact he’s really good on the ball, his close control, his creativity and passing, being able to do things that a lot of players can’t do.

“In the Championship, a player like that, you’d be looking at minimum £15m.

“I’d say, in his prime, you could get about £20m.”

Downes does believe that being Irish would go against his transfer value, but that he’d enjoy playing in the current Norwich side a lot because of being able to supply goals to Josh Sargent: “You’d be let down in terms of the fact that he’s Irish.

“If he was maybe English you could maybe get a little bit more, same with the fact if he was Spanish or Brazilian or French, something like that.

“I’d say you’d probably end up getting a little bit more, but he probably wouldn’t be too much money but I’d say a fair amount, £15 to 20 million.

“He didn’t score enough goals overall I’d say, so maybe that would let him down a little bit.

“To have him in our team now would be lovely because he would be creating so many chances for Sargent and that’s what we need.

“So I’d say prime Hoolahan, he would be loving it in this team.”

Hoolahan went on to play a handful of games for West Brom, before moving to Australia for a small period, and then ultimately ending up with Cambridge United in League Two.

The now 43-year-old called it a day on his playing career only last year, hanging up his boots after a stint in non-League with Doncaster City.

Wes Hoolahan would excel in the current Norwich squad

Finn Azaz’s recent move from Middlesbrough to Southampton was worth £15 million, so being Irish isn’t a detriment to being sold for a big fee in the Championship.

But there’s no doubt that Hoolahan would excel in the current Norwich team alongside Sargent, as the pair could’ve gelled extremely well together.

Hoolahan was a great creative force, and proved he had the quality to compete in the Premier League during his time at Carrow Road.