With Norwich City dipping into the free agent market, Samuel Seaman highlights five out-of-contract players the Canaries should consider.
Emiliano Marcondes
One of the options already being looked at by City is Emiliano Marcondes, whose previous work with Johannes Hoff Thorup means he’d slot into his fellow Dane’s system smoothly.
The 29-year-old was signed on loan by Thorup just four days after he took over at Nordsjaelland, having seen him come through the Tigers’ academy and earn a move to then-Championship Brentford.
It wasn’t plain sailing for Marcondes with either the Bees or Bournemouth, and he spent the last few months of his time as a Cherry in Scotland at Hibernian. If there’s one head coach who could help him achieve his potential, however, it’s Thorup, and that’s why he may be a worthwhile throw of the dice.
Isaac Success
City fans will remember the name, not only because of its noteworthy meaning but because of the time he had in England with Watford.
The striker spent five years at Vicarage Road, eventually joining sister club Udinese after struggled to establish himself as a regular. He made just 17 appearances in his last two seasons in Hertfordshire, but quickly became a key player in Serie A.
He finds himself without a club three years after his Italian move, however, and much of that will be down to his goalscoring record. He netted only six times for Udinese, and that will be a cause of apprehension for anyone considering his services at this stage.
But with a good creative record and the ability to play through the middle, he would be a useful backup for Norwich if they could agree a favourable contract.
Samuel Kalu
From one former Hornet to another, and Samuel Kalu is also looking for a club after leaving Watford. His time in England saw even less success than its namesake, but there’s still pedigree there from across Europe.
He tempted Watford into his signing with more than four years playing for French giants Bordeaux, and before that was a vital part of the KAA Gent attack. That came after a positive spell in Slovakia, where he made his name as a danger man out wide.
With the majority of those attacking injuries coming to City’s wingers, Kalu could is another potential solution to their squad depth problem.
Viktor Kovalenko
This may be the most ambitious name on the list, as in many ways it’s hard to see why Kovalenko hasn’t found a club since mutually agreeing to leave Atalanta at the end of August.
It didn’t work out for the attacking midfielder in Bergamo, in fact he made just one appearance for the club, but multiple promising loan spells have displayed his capability to compete at the top level.
He also brings a level of versatility that City could benefit from in their current situation, and is a good age at 28. He’s also got 33 Ukrainian caps to his name, adding a level of pedigree rarely seen from free agents.
With links to Genoa surfacing recently and big clubs on his CV, reaching a contractual agreement would prove tough, but if that obstacle could be navigated then he’d be a good addition for many sides.
Lebo Mothiba
Another centre-forward option, Mothiba has shown that he can do it at the highest level before. He’s been a regular presence in Ligue 1 since being promoted to Lille’s first team in 2018, and has a goalscoring record that suggests he could chip in at Carrow Road.
Adaptation would likely be the main issue for the 28-year-old, with City on the lookout for someone who can hit the ground running in yellow and green.
That could be a struggle for Mothiba, whose only professional experience has been in France and who’s been without a club since leaving Strasbourg at the end of last term. But if teething issues could be waited out or somehow avoided, it appears there’s a talented player to be had.
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