Patino signs: Identifying 3 ideal Gabriel Sara replacements for Norwich City | OneFootball

Gabriel Sara has been a standout player for Norwich City this season, so much so that the Canaries could struggle to keep hold of him this summer.

The 24-year-old joined Norwich from São Paulo in the summer of 2022, and he has thrived during the 2023/24 Championship season, playing all 46 league games, scoring 13 times and registering 12 assists.

Sara's form has been so impressive that he has attracted the interest of Roma and Crystal Palace, and following the Canaries' failure to win promotion to the Premier League, it shouldn't be a surprise if the midfielder moves on this summer.

With that in mind, here are three ideal candidates to replace Gabriel Sara if he leaves Norwich City.

Charlie Patino

Charlie Patino may not have had the most successful loan spell at Swansea City this season, but the Arsenal man is a very exciting prospect, and is versatile in the centre of the park, just like Gabriel Sara.

Patino only started 14 league games for Swansea, but he scored three goals and registered four assists, so there's definitely a player in there.

It's clear to see just how highly-rated he is, with the likes of Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan said to be interested in him, and Mikel Arteta gave him his Arsenal debut when he was just 18.

At just 20-years-old, there's still plenty of time for Patino to develop into the player he's hyped up to be, and crucially, there's an Arsenal link with Ben Knapper being the Canaries' Sporting Director.

Knapper will know the England U21 international well, having spent over a decade at the Emirates Stadium, and perhaps he could convince his former Gunners colleague to move to Norfolk this summer.

Adrian Bernabe

Perhaps not a household name to Norwich City supporters, Parma midfielder Adrian Bernabe is ranked as the third most similar player to Gabriel Sara using FBref, and he fits the profile as someone who could be a realistic signing.

Bernabe is just 23, and he registered eight goals and four assists in 35 games for Parma in Serie B, a decent return, and despite helping his club win promotion to Serie A next season, he could still be in Norwich City's price range this summer.

It shows how highly-rated the young Spaniard is that he was signed by Manchester City in 2018, and actually made five first-team appearances for Pep Guardiola's side, all of which came in the League Cup, before joining Parma in 2021.

As a young, talented midfielder with previous experience of English football, Bernabe could be an ideal replacement for Sara should the Brazilian depart.

Nicolas Castro

After having success in the South American market with Gabriel Sara, Argentinian midfielder Nicolas Castro could be an ideal replacement should Sara leave.

The 23-year-old plays for Elche in La Liga 2, and like Sara, he's versatile, being able to play as an attacking midfielder but also being able to play deeper, too.

In 35 La Liga 2 appearances this season, he scored five goals and registered five assists, a decent return, and it must be noted that he was playing for a side that finished 9th, so not competing for promotion.

After signing Sara from São Paulo, it's clear that Norwich have scouts looking at players in leagues all over the world, and Castro could be an ideal replacement.

The 23-year-old still has plenty of growth left in him, and he could be someone that turns into a star at Carrow Road.