Two of Norwich City’s prized assets have been targeted so far in the summer transfer window, and the Spanish giants’ latest move could have consequences at Carrow Road.
Business at Norwich City has been busy so far this summer on the back of the club’s disappointing 13th-placed finish last season.
Former Bristol City manager Liam Manning was appointed to lead Norwich next season, but the new boss could be without two crucial stars from the squad he inherited this month come the start of the 2025/26 Championship campaign.
There is a “real chance” Josh Sargent moves to the Premier League this summer following his 15-goal campaign, and Norwich fans may fear the worst with Sargent’s admission on his top flight dream.
Aside from Sargent, Norwich look destined to lose star man Borja Sainz this summer, and Barcelona’s latest decision could have consequences at Carrow Road regarding the Spanish left-winger.
Borja Sainz of Norwich City looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Burnley FC and Norwich City FC
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Barcelona’s Nico Williams decision could impact Borja Sainz move
Norwich ace Sainz was in fine form last term, finishing runner-up in the Championship golden boot race with 18 goals, and registering four assists in 41 league starts.
Sainz’s form has seen Italian champions Napoli submit multiple transfer offers for the Norwich star, which followed the first bids Norwich received for Sainz from earlier in June.
EFL Analysis understands via information from our Chief Football correspondent, Graeme Bailey, that Sainz is keen on a move back to Spain.
Villarreal are very keen on him, and Athletic Bilbao also had conversations with his people about bringing him back to the club.
In the Spanish top flight, Fabrizio Romano revealed on X that: “Barcelona have decided to activate the Nico Williams deal option after getting player’s total priority.
🚨🔵🔴 Barcelona have decided to activate the Nico Williams deal option after getting player’s total priority.
Barça will need more rounds of talks with his agent as they’d need to discuss terms of €58m release clause with Athletic.
Not advanced yet; but Barça are now trying. pic.twitter.com/Y8YBmPVmUE
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 16, 2025
View Tweet
“Barça will need more rounds of talks with his agent as they’d need to discuss terms of €58m release clause with Athletic.”
Therefore, with Spanish star Nico Williams potentially moving to Barcelona from Athletic Bilbao this summer, this impacts things at Carrow Road given Bilbao’s interest in their former star Sainz.
Despite on the surface it seeming that losing Sainz is a negative, the latest development at Barca could quicken his potential Bilbao departure, which would be a benefit to the Canaries on multiple fronts.
Bristol City Manager Liam Manning looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City FC and Stoke City FC
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Barcelona development with Borja Sainz could be good news for Norwich City
Williams’ potential arrival at Barcelona helps Sainz’s quest to leave Carrow Road, but the development could be good news in some sense for Norwich.
Sainz departing in the early stages of the summer transfer window gives the Norwich hierarchy longer to source, acquire and bed in a new replacement for the Spaniard.
After Harry Darling, Manning has been told to sign Josh Murphy to fill the void left by Sainz, and the substantial fee set to be banked following the winger’s departure will massively boost their transfer coffers.
Additionally, cutting the cord early removes the potential for a repeat Jonathan Rowe fiasco, in which he refused to play for Norwich with “not being in the right frame of mind” amid transfer interest from Marseille that saw him withdraw from the opening day squad against Oxford United last year.
Sainz’s absence will be sorely felt at Carrow Road, but there are advantages to getting the deal done early as a result of the latest developments with Barcelona’s pursuit of Bilbao ace Williams.