Exclusive: Norwich City plot move for figure set to leave Southampton | OneFootball

A departing Saints individual is on the radar of the Canaries

Norwich City are looking to bring in an individual that is departing Championship rivals Southampton, Football League World can exclusively reveal.

The Canaries just missed out on the play-offs this past season, despite it looking like after the first few months of the campaign they'd be in a relegation battle under Liam Manning.

Manning's managerial tenure at Carrow Road was short-lived, and after he was replaced by ex-Rangers boss Philippe Clement, form improved to the point where over the Championship's last 20 matches, the Norfolk outfit were third in the standings, only behind Coventry City and Southampton.

Southampton though, like Norwich, will be contesting second tier football next season after their controversial expulsion from the play-offs following the 'Spygate' scandal, which saw the south coast club found guilty of spying on multiple clubs, and it cost them their spot at Wembley.

Top-level first-team exits are expected in the wake of that, with Tonda Eckert's head coach role under serious scrutiny, and several of Southampton's stars will also potentially be seeking a way out, and it also looks like some staff members are on the way out, with one whose exit has already been announced being eyed up by Norwich.

Norwich City eyeing departing Southampton figure Ben Chorley

FLW understands that Norwich are eyeing Southampton's recent head of UK scouting Ben Chorley for a similar role at Carrow Road, but to oversee their general scouting department under sporting director Ben Knapper and his assistant Lee Dunn.

The Canaries announced last month that they were making a number of changes behind the scenes across the board, which would open up a new head of scouting role, and with Chorley departing Southampton, they are now eyeing the 43-year-old up for the job.

Chorley has announced his exit from St Mary's Stadium, having worked for the Sport Republic group since 2023 when being hired as the sporting director of French club Valenciennes, before swapping that role for his scouting job at Southampton.

Prior to that, Chorley had worked at Swindon Town as chief scout and sporting director, as well as at Bromley as their under-18's manager before he decided to explore the scouting world.

As a player, Chorley was a centre-half and came through the Arsenal youth system, although he never played a senior game for the Gunners before carving out an EFL career for himself.

Chorley appeared for Wimbledon, MK Dons, Gillingham and Tranmere before a three-and-a-half year stint with Leyton Orient, before going onto play for Stevenage, Portsmouth and Bromley.

He has risen through the ranks quickly off the pitch though, going from Bromley to Southampton via Swindon and Valenciennes, but he could now be heading to Norwich as they look to make their move to hire the Sidcup-born scout.