Norwich City to reject ‘£20m’ Josh Sargent offer after West Ham news
West Ham will be priced out of a move to sign Norwich City star Josh Sargent despite him being high on their list of January transfer targets.
That is according to former West Ham and Man United senior scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected at his previous clubs, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Norwich are reluctant to lose their star man after a tough season so far.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed on 15 December that West Ham scouts have been impressed by Sargent and his recent displays.
However, West Ham will only spend £20million on a new forward and are keen not to spend above their limits after previous heavy investment has not paid off.
Brown explained that Norwich have set their asking price above that limit, and West Ham will either have to overspend or move on to other targets.
Norwich could block Josh Sargent from joining West Ham
Brown told Football Insider on 14 December that West Ham are working to identify strikers who could bolster their options up front ahead of the January window.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted the Hammers will be heavily restricted if they stick to their current spending limits.
“West Ham are looking for a new striker,” he told Football Insider.
“But I know from people at the club, they want to solve their striker problem for £20million. That;’s not going to happen, it’s impossible.
“They’ve been looking at Josh Sargent from Norwich and getting reports on him.
“They like him, the reports have been positive, he’s strong and not afraid to put himself about.
“But from what I’m told, Norwich won’t let him go for £20million, they’re asking for more than that, they don’t want to lose him half way through the season in the position they’re in.
“If they are going to let him go, it will cost more than what West Ham want to pay.
“From West Ham’s point of view, if you can’t sign a forward from a struggling Norwich side within your budget, what players of the right quality are going to be available?
“The answer is not many, and that’s where they’re going to have a problem.”
West Ham transfer budget leads to major concerns
Brown warned Football Insider on 19 December that West Ham will operate with a limited transfer budget, which could cause them problems.
He went on to claim that the club is going backwards due to the board’s lack of ambition, with their current Premier League status increasingly at risk.
Nuno Espirito Santo wants to strengthen his squad in a number of key positions, but is unlikely to be afforded a large budget to do so.
Brown told Football Insider on 4 December that Nuno wants to strengthen his West Ham squad and has identified four positions which need improvement.
However, the former scout who has worked under the West Ham board previously, revealed it is difficult to convince the club to spend heavily regardless of the team’s position.
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