Norwich City’s Plymouth Argyle transfer chase: £6.9m Canaries man must hate it | OneFootball

Norwich City's link to Plymouth Argyle's Lorent Tolaj could be bad news for Mathias Kvistgaarden

Norwich City's season looked to be in real threat before the arrival of Philippe Clement, but since the Belgian walked through the doors at Carrow Road, the Canaries have undergone a huge transformation for the good.

It has been a rollercoaster of a year in Norfolk for Norwich City.

Liam Manning was poached from Bristol City to lead them into the new campaign after securing a historic top-six finish with the Robins, but he was unable to get things into gear at his boyhood club and was dismissed, only to be replaced by former Monaco and Rangers boss Philippe Clement.

Since his arrival, Clement has stopped the Canaries' ship from sinking, and until recently, looked like they could well creep into the play-off places, though a 2-0 home defeat to bitter rivals Ipswich Town all but ended those hopes.

Still, Clement's turnaround in East Anglia has been truly remarkable, and some big decisions in terms of playing personnel have had to be made, especially up top, with Josh Sargent's controversial £20 million move to Toronto putting a dark cloud over Carrow Road, though the subsequent arrival of Mohamed Toure for an initial £2.6 million is quickly looking like a bargain.

This has seen one player fall out of the limelight as a result, and following Norwich's recent links to a League One hotshot, things could go from bad to worse for the player.

Since joining Norwich for £6.9 million in the summer from Danish outfit Brondby, Mathias Kvistgaarden has fallen short of the expectations set on him upon his arrival.

The 24-year-old has managed just over 1,000 minutes of league football since making the move to Carrow Road, scoring six and assisting just once in just 12 league starts.

Given his lack of minutes, his goal return isn't too bad, but with Jovon Makama and Mohamed Toure ahead of him in the pecking order as things stand, he may struggle to get the opportunity to prove himself to Clement, especially after recent news.

According to Belgian publication VoetbalPrimeur, Norwich are among several EFL clubs chasing the signature of Plymouth Argyle forward Lorent Tolaj this summer, alongside Anderlecht.

Both Stoke City and Swansea City are also said to be interested in the Swiss forward, who has netted 19 goals in all competitions so far this season, after the Pilgrims triggered his £1.2m release clause in the summer to sign him from division rivals Port Vale.

Tolaj's steady upwards trajectory has seen him rise from the National League to League One in the space of just a couple of years, and should he continue that trend, he will be playing Championship football next season.

With Norwich reportedly interested, this can only be bad news for Kvistgaarden, who may have to make way for Tolaj this summer if a deal with Plymouth is struck.

With both Makama and Toure both firmly ahead of him in Clement's plans at Norwich, a premature exit for the Dane could be on the cards this summer.

There is a chance that Clement sees Kvistgaarden's future in a slightly deeper role in the number ten position, rather than as an out-and-out centre-forward, something which could give him a lifeline in Norfolk.

Though with Anis Ben Slimane and Jayden Maghoma battling for minutes there, his place in that role is also not secured, as any move for Tolaj this summer could spell the end of the 24-year-old's time at the club.

Philippe Clement must make a big decision on the future of Mathias Kvistgaarden this summer

Heading into the summer window, a big decision will need to be made by Clement regarding the future of Kvistgaarden.

If Norwich do indeed pursue a deal for Tolaj, it would almost certainly mean the Dane will either be forced back to attacking midfield or, instead, out of the club.

Whether the Canaries would be willing to take a hit on the £6.9 million they paid for the Dane less than a year ago remains to be seen, though if Clement doesn't see a long-term future for him at the club, then he could well be on the move sooner rather than later.