Borja Sainz has shared his thoughts on his recent transfer from Norwich City to FC Porto, a move that has significantly altered the Canaries' attacking landscape. The Spanish winger, who made a notable impact during his time at Carrow Road, completed his transfer for a reported fee of £14.2 million, marking the conclusion of a fruitful two-year spell with Norwich.
Sainz's departure arrives as Norwich aim to enhance their squad ahead of the 2025/26 Championship season. Under the leadership of new manager Liam Manning, the club has made strategic investments in the transfer market, with the acquisition of Mathias Kvistgaard for £6.9 million standing out. Manning now faces the task of replacing Sainz, who finished as the club's top goalscorer last season. Read more about Norwich Target Sima as Attack Reinforcement.
Reflecting on his move, Sainz expressed contentment with his decision, stating, "It was a conscious decision I made. FC Porto believed in me, and I'm very happy to be here." He praised the smooth integration into his new team, crediting his colleagues for their support: "Integrating has been easy, all my teammates are helping me a lot, and I can only thank them. The first few days are always the hardest, and they're doing everything they can to make the new players feel comfortable." Read more about Sainz Seals Move to Porto After Stellar Norwich Season.
During his final season at Norwich, Sainz was a standout performer, netting 16 goals in his first 20 appearances, including two hat-tricks. However, his campaign was marred by a five-match suspension following an incident involving Sunderland’s Chris Mepham. Upon his return, he struggled to regain his peak form, ultimately finishing the season with 18 league goals and four assists, narrowly missing out on the Championship Golden Boot. Read more about Medic Targets Revival at Norwich After Ajax Exit.
In response to Sainz's exit, Norwich have secured the services of Pape Amadou Diallo, a promising young winger from Senegal, who is expected to take on a more prominent role on the left flank. Diallo's signing is particularly significant, as he was previously in advanced negotiations with Watford.
Following a recent pre-season friendly that ended in a draw against ADO Den Haag, Manning spoke enthusiastically about Diallo’s potential: "In terms of his ball-carrying, his movement off the ball, he's someone who has really exciting potential. The challenge for us will be to integrate him, to help him settle, and turn that potential into some really high-level, consistent performances."
With the new season on the horizon, Norwich supporters are eager to see how Diallo adapts to his new surroundings, especially given the substantial role Sainz played in the squad. All eyes will be on Manning as he seeks to maximise Diallo’s capabilities and ensure Norwich remain competitive in the Championship.