Norwich City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup has confirmed the Canaries are pushing to sign Sheffield United’s Anis Slimane – but no club has yet matched their valuation for Abu Kamara.
Thorup hinted at a quieter end to the transfer window ahead of Friday’s 11pm deadline when he spoke at Colney on Thursday to preview the Championship trip to Coventry.
Danish-born Slimane is the primary target to bolster Thorup’s central midfield, but the head coach made it clear any other inward business is likely to hinge on Kamara.
Hull, Luton and Oxford have all expressed interest in the 21-year-old, who handed in an official written transfer request recently, but Thorup was adamant no club has yet convinced City to cash out.
The Canaries’ focus at this stage is believed to be on completing an initial loan move for Slimane, with a buy option.
“It’s fair to say that we are trying. Let’s see how it goes,” said the Dane. “Of course, obviously, he’s been a player for Sheffield, but playing some minutes also in the Premier League. We have to see how it goes. We’ve been trying.
“I think in terms of numbers we have now we are well covered. Fair to say, I think we need one more midfielder, which we try to bring in, and then let’s see. I think if we have to bring in another player, it’s related to the Abu (Kamara) situation, which is fair to say that for now, there’s no offers that we can accept.
“So it seems like he will stay here. But again, like I said with the other players we let go, we have something planned. We have something lined up, if an offer should come for Abu that we can actually accept then we have to bring in a winger or an offensive player.
“I think we need a midfield position, one who can cover the central positions in midfield, if he can add some value also in the more offensive position in midfield, that would also be okay, but that’s what we need. I think we are well covered in wider areas because Ante (Crnac) can play both right side and as a striker.
“And of course if Abu stays, then I expect him to be a part of the squad as well. That’s what we have for now. But again, if something comes in on Abu we can actually accept then we are ready to execute on an offensive player.”
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