Rangers FC’s potential £40m Arsenal windfall: Norwich City must kick themselves | OneFootball

Norwich City decided against pursuing a deal for current Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez in January 2025

Norwich City's season has been rescued by the arrival of Philippe Clement, with the Canaries still within a chance of breaking into the top six with seven games to go, despite looking like real relegation contenders for much of the campaign.

It's been an unconventional season in Norfolk for Norwich, who, at one point, looked likely to be heading down to League One.

Under Liam Manning, things never got out of gear, as the current Huddersfield Town boss was dismissed and replaced by former Rangers and Monaco boss Philippe Clement.

The Belgian has completely flipped the Canaries' fortunes on its head, and revitalised the squad to be looking up at the play-offs as we enter the final phase of the season, instead of down at the relegation zone.

There have been numerous key decisions made by Clement since his arrival, though his work in the transfer market thus far is looking to have been some of his best, with each of Ali Ahmed, Mohamed Toure, Jayden Maghoma, and Sam Field all having shone since joining.

Heading into the summer window, Norwich supporters will be hoping for more of the same, although some will look on and wince as a player they were linked with just over a year ago is being touted for a mega-money switch to a European superpower.

Norwich City were heavily linked with a move for Emmanuel Fernandez in January 2025

In January 2025, Norwich were still within a shout of breaking into the play-off picture under the guidance of Johannes Hoff Thorup, and sought to improve areas of weakness in the window.

The likes of Anis Ben Slimane and Matej Jurasek were brought in permanently, whilst Jacob Wright and Lewis Dobbin signed on loan for the remainder of the season from Manchester City and Aston Villa, respectively.

However, as the window approached a close, another central defender was still being sounded out by Norwich's recruitment staff, and they identified Peterborough United defender Emmanuel Fernandez as a target.

The Canaries were believed to have submitted what then Posh boss, Darren Ferguson, described as a 'huge bid', saying: "The club have accepted a bid from a Championship club. I think it’s a huge bid but, at the moment, he can not agree personal terms.

"It’s a big bid for a lot of money for a player who has played just four or five months of football but that’s what we do, we develop players.

"A big Championship club has come in and seen the potential. He would come back to us on loan. That has all been agreed between the clubs.

"Everything has been agreed between the clubs but him and his representatives can’t agree personal terms."

Indeed, the move would never materialise, and instead, Norwich would sign Northern Irish defender Ruari McConville from Brighton and Hove Albion for a potential fee of £2.5 million.

McConville has indeed gone on to impress since he arrived at Carrow Road, but Fernandez has taken his game to the next level, and the club may well be kicking themselves now after seeing his progression.

Emmanuel Fernandez has been linked with a blockbuster £40 million move to Arsenal in recent weeks

Fernandez's journey to this point is a testament to his character and a shining example that perseverance is essential to becoming a professional footballer.

Having spent time in the youth System of Brentford, the London-born, newly-capped Nigerian international then joined Gillingham, but never made an appearance for the club, heading out on loan to the likes of Sheppey United and Margate.

Peterborough picked him up from Ramsgate in 2021, and loans to Spalding United and Barnet led him to earn a chance in the first team, where he enjoyed his breakthrough campaign during the 2024/25 season in League One.

He would eventually join Scottish outfit Rangers in the summer, and after a shaky start, has emerged as one of the Glasgow giants' most important players and valuable assets, having recently been linked with a blockbuster switch to Premier League side Arsenal, in a deal which could reach upwards of £40 million.

This would smash the record fee ever paid for a player coming out of the Scottish leagues, with Matt O'Riley's move to Brighton, Jota's move to Al-Ittihad, and Kieran Tierney's move to Arsenal not coming close.

It would be a sensational story for Fernandez, who has barely made over 50 senior appearances at 24 years of age, as Norwich must regret not getting this deal over the line, with their loss being Rangers' gain.