Norwich City tipped to sign out-of-contract Arsenal forward Nathan Butler-Oyedeji
Norwich City are interested in signing Arsenal attacker Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, according to a report from Football Insider.
Norwich City look destined for another season in the Championship and it means another busy summer likely lays ahead of NCFC.
The Canaries backed new boss Johannes Hoff Thorup with fresh additions last year but the campaign has made it clear more new faces are needed at Carrow Road if they’re to challenge at the top end of the table again.
Thorup and co shouldn’t be giving up hope yet, but eyes will be on potential summer additions.
Now, reports have claimed Arsenal attacker Nathan Butler-Oyedeji is one player of interest to Norwich City.
Football Insider says that the Canaries are ‘very interested’ in 22-year-old Butler-Oyedeji, who sees his deal with the Gunners expire at the end of the season. His potential availability has alerted clubs both on UK shores and overseas.
Butler-Oyedeji has been in and around Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad this season amid a shortage of strikers but he has made only one appearance. It means an exit feels likely, though time will tell if NCFC are indeed eyeing a deal for his services ahead of the summer transfer window.
Unproven in first-team football
Butler-Oyedeji has enjoyed a prolific season and U21 level with nine goals and six assists in 12 Premier League 2 games for Arsenal. That combined with his regular first-team training and matchday experience could make him an intriguing addition for Norwich City.
However, there are sure to be reservations over his senior goalscoring record. In loan spells with Cheltenham Town and Accrington Stanley, the forward didn’t manage a single goal contribution in 25 games across both stints.
That record doesn’t make for good reading if Championship football awaits and at 22, he needs to be playing at first-team level rather than back in U21s.
Norwich City’s striker options
Norwich City have Josh Sargent as their lead talisman and there are questions over his future. Many feel that after another campaign of prolific scoring, a step up from the Championship awaits.
Young stars like Ante Crnac and Oscar Schwartau may be viewed as heirs to Sargent’s throne as lead goalscorer but an out-and-out striker with a solid record will be needed to replace him, even if winger Borja Sainz also stays.
There would be questions over whether Butler-Oyedeji could take up that mantle but as an out-of-contract player, the Arsenal man could be a backup option worth taking a punt on.
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