A player that Norwich City will be desperately hoping to keep hold of this summer is midfielder Gabriel Sara, but it could be tough for them to retain the Brazilian midfield star.
Sara was one of Norwich’s big-money signings a couple of years ago, joining the club in the summer transfer window of 2022/23 from Brazilian side Sao Paulo for a fee in excess of £10 million. The 25-year-old was one of many signings that summer for the Canaries, who hoped to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Since then, he has quickly established himself as one of the division’s best players, encapsulating some of the footballing qualities that are synonymous with his home nation of Brazil by displaying outstanding skill, technical security under pressure, plenty of final-third creativity, as well as much-needed goals from midfield.
The Brazilian can be deployed as part of a midfield pivot but could also play in a more advanced role behind the striker. Sara has operated all over the midfield by also playing as a right-winger at times last term for the Canaries.
In the eyes of many, he is a player more than ready to make the step up to the top-flight and has both the technical and physical attributes to be a success in a higher division. Not only that, but he is incredibly durable, and has barely missed a game in the last two seasons.
The Norwich City verdict on Gabriel Sara’s future
The 25-year-old’s performances have obviously not gone unnoticed, and he is reportedly attracting interest from Italian outfit Roma, while Premier League side Crystal Palace are also said to be keen.
According to Corriere dello Sport [26/7 paper edition; page 31] (via MOT Leeds News), Leeds United are also admirers of the Brazilian and could look to strike an ambitious deal this summer.
To do that though, the Whites would probably need to sell more players than they have done this summer – potentially two of Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto and Georginio Rutter.
If he is to move on, it is likely to be to one of Europe’s big five leagues, but could Norwich stand any chance of keeping him this summer? FLW’s Norwich fan pundit Zeke Downes believes that there is a likelihood that the mercurial midfield could actually remain in Norfolk, despite the interest in his services.
“My gut feeling with Gabriel Sara is that he stays,” Zeke told Football League World.
“I think it was quite a big statement from Johannes Hoff Thorup to give him the captaincy during pre-season.
“I think it’s a big sign that he wants him around. He (Sara) loves it at Norwich, so I don’t know why he’d want to leave unless it’s a big move.
“I can’t see that happening, even though he’s obviously good enough to be playing at a high level.
“But I just don’t think he will leave. I think he likes it too much at Norwich.
“I don’t think another team is going to stump up enough cash to take him.”
Norwich City: Gabriel Sara’s potential transfer value could be too high for suitors
Transfermarkt value Sara at around €18 million, whereas it has been claimed that the Canaries will not sell Sara for less than €20 million this summer.
And while that valuation may be a stumbling block for some of his suitors, there will surely be clubs willing to meet that asking price.
It feels somewhat inevitable that he departs, but there is a chance he remains in Norfolk, which would certainly boost their promotion hopes. Sara is one of the best players in the division, of any age, for any team, and in any position; his quality is simply undeniable.
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