“It is worrying” – Pundit reacts to Borja Sainz Norwich City situation amid Thorup revelation.
Pundit and former England international Carlton Palmer has reacted to Johannes Hoff Thorup’s recent revelation, in which the Norwich City boss revealed his nervous anticipation for the January transfer window ahead of likely interest towards in-demand talisman Borja Sainz.
The Spanish winger is poised to emerge as a seriously hot property come the turn of the year, having already seemingly earned a host of attention amid the continuation of his dazzling, difference-making impact for Norwich. Sainz showed fleeting signs of brilliance at Carrow Road last season but has gone to another level this time around following the appointment of Thorup and the dual departures of Jon Rowe and Abu Kamara, both of whom haven’t been missed owing to the 23-year-old’s white-hot form infront of goal.
After scoring his second hattrick of the season in a stunning 6-1 rout of Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday evening, Sainz remains the Championship’s leading goalscorer with 14 strikes from just 17 appearances, along with two assists for good measure.
Heading into the festive period, he’s directly accounted for more than half of Norwich’s goals in the league all season, with the Canaries currently sitting 10th amid a patchy run of form in the last month or so. Sainz’ form, however, hasn’t waned, which will only add to the growing fear of a departure from Norfolk when January comes around.
That’s because he’s already been linked to Galatasaray, who poached Brazilian midfield dynamo Gabriel Sara from Norwich back in the summer, and as per Radio Popular de Bilbao, Atlético Madrid, Athletic Club and Villarreal are all interested in a move for Sainz, too. Rather unsurprisingly, it is believed that Sainz prefers a move to the Spanish capital, and Diego Simeone would be able to offer UEFA Champions League football to the 23-year-old.
Sainz is out of contract in the summer of 2026 too, which will create further doubt surrounding his future.
It’s no shock either that Sainz has been deemed not for sale by Norwich, whose intentions were described by owner Mark Attanasio to The Pink Un. Attanasio declared that his club have full control and do not need to offload the talented forward, although his bullish stance is seemingly at odds with a more recent admission from head coach Johaness Hoff Thorup.
Thorup expressed concern about keeping Sainz come the January window and Carlton Palmer clearly understands that worry.
Carlton Palmer’s Borja Sainz transfer verdict amid Norwich City, Johannes Hoff Thorup revelation
When quizzed on Sainz’s future exclusively by Football League World, Palmer shared Thorup’s concern of retaining the attacker in January.
He believes it’s going to be a worrying period for Norwich, who may have to fight tooth and nail to keep him at Carrow Road.
“Norwich are tenth in the table, five points off the play-offs and going along nicely under Johannes Hoff Thorup,” Palmer told Football League World.
“But when interviewed recently, Thorup said he’s not looking forward to the January transfer window and I’m assuming that’s due to all the talk surrounding Borja Sainz, who has been outstanding for Norwich this season.
