How much West Ham would have to pay for Norwich City’s Josh Sargent as valuation emerges | OneFootball

West Ham will have to pay Norwich City £15 million for Josh Sargent this January to pry the American away from Carrow Road

After both Leeds United and Burnley had expressed interest in signing Norwich City striker Josh Sargent as of late, fellow Premier League outfit West Ham have joined the race for the USMNT player, with the price tag the Hammers must pay being revealed.

According to The Sun, West Ham have joined the race to sign Norwich's Josh Sargent, with a £15 million price tag being slapped on the American for any club interested this January.

The Hammers are looking to move on £27 million German international forward Niclas Fullkrug as soon as possible, with a focal point in attack high up on Nuno Espirito Santo's Christmas list this winter, and have thus targeted Sargent as a potential option.

The American started the season on fire, scoring five goals in his opening four games, but with the Canaries struggling, so did Sargent, who then scored just once in his following 16 league outings, before recently picking up a head injury in a 1-1 draw away to Sheffield United.

Sargent missed out in Norwich's 2-1 home win over Southampton at the weekend, with summer signing Jovon Makama deputising up front to great effect, netting both of the Canaries' goals in the fixture, albeit the second goal was contentious.

His absence was taken as a concussion protocol, as Norwich will be hoping their star forward can get back to full fitness soon, and with the January window approaching, their resolve over the Missouri-born man will be tested.

As per The Sun, West Ham must pay Norwich upwards of £15 million to be tempted into a sale of the American this January.

Indeed, a £21 million move to German side VFL Wolfsburg looked all but a formality this summer, with Norwich accepting the fee only for Sargent to turn the move down.

Sargent had also attracted interest from both Leeds United and Burnley this summer, only for the Whites to move for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, with Burnley signing Armando Broja instead.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke was the man who brought Sargent to Norfolk all those years ago, so a move to Elland Road seemed like a likely proposition this summer, especially following Leeds' promotion, but it wasn't to be.

Now, Espirito Santo is looking to stamp his authority on this West Ham side this January, having been sacked at Nottingham Forest earlier this season, and replacing Graham Potter at the London Stadium after the transfer window had already closed.

A striker appears to be high on the Portuguese head coach's list this January, with 33-year-old Callum Wilson and winger Jarrod Bowen both tied as the club's top goalscorers on four, and Sargent could well be a serious option for the Hammers as January approaches.

Josh Sargent will be integral to Norwich City retaining their Championship status this season under Philippe Clement

Norwich's season hasn't been the one that many Canaries fans would have hoped for, as despite their 2-1 home win over play-off chasing Southampton at the weekend, the club still sit in 23rd place, three points from safety after 21 games.

Liam Manning, who was poached from Bristol City to become the new head coach in the summer, lasted just 17 games in charge and won just three of those, and was swiftly dismissed and replaced by former Monaco and Rangers boss Clement.

The Belgian hasn't been dealt an easy hand in Norfolk, dealing with an array of injuries plaguing the squad, yet the club's performances and results have seen a slight upturn since his arrival.

Although Sargent hasn't been at his scintillating best so far this season, he remains a force to be reckoned with at Championship level, and if Clement can get him fit and firing in a Norwich shirt, his goals may prove pivotal towards their survival hopes.

Any Premier League interest in the American this January will come as a huge blow to Norwich, who must do everything in their power to keep him at the club for the remainder of the season, with no guarantees that Makama can sustain his form in front of goal, nor any guarantees that they will be able to replace him.