Former Norwich City striker Iwan Roberts has expressed profound concerns over the potential sale of in-form winger Borja Sainz in the forthcoming January transfer window. The 23-year-old has made a remarkable impact this season, netting 11 goals in just 15 appearances, which has attracted interest from a number of clubs eager to secure his services (Inside Futbol).
Roberts contends that parting ways with Sainz would not only jeopardise Norwich's promotion ambitions but could also foster a culture of mid-table mediocrity within the club. He asserts that selling the talented winger would send a clear signal that the Canaries are willing to abandon their aspirations of promotion, instead opting for a focus on securing a top-half finish.
Current estimations suggest that Norwich could command a fee of approximately £30 million for Sainz if a transfer occurs in January. Nevertheless, Roberts cautions that finding a suitable replacement during the same transfer window would prove to be a monumental challenge. He articulated his disappointment at the thought of losing Sainz mid-season, highlighting both the emotional and competitive repercussions for the team. "God forbid he would leave in January, but if he did, then you’re throwing the towel in really," Roberts remarked in his recent column for the Norwich Evening News. "You’ve accepted mid-table mediocrity, maybe a top-half finish. If you lose him, you might get money to invest, but you’re not going to get another Borja Sainz, especially in January."
Roberts further speculated that if Sainz continues on his current scoring trajectory, he could finish the season with an impressive tally of 25 goals, thereby elevating his market value to between £45 million and £50 million. The former striker reflected on the potential impact of losing such a pivotal player on team morale. "And if you’re one of his teammates and he goes in January, what will be the effect? I’d be gutted," he stated.
With first-choice forward Josh Sargent currently injured, Norwich City, under the management of Johannes Hoff Thorup, is increasingly reliant on Sainz to maintain their positive momentum in the league. As the Canaries endeavour to balance immediate performance with long-term promotion aspirations in the Championship, retaining Sainz will be crucial. As he continues to shine, Norwich City may find themselves under growing pressure to keep hold of their talented winger while pursuing their goals for the remainder of the season.