MX23RW : Saturday, January 18 05:30:55| >> :120:60443:60443:

Norwich City chief: 'Coronavirus has created paranoia in transfer market'

Norwich chief: 'Coronavirus has created paranoia in transfer market'
© Reuters
A handful of big deals have punctuated a quiet window to date.

Norwich sporting director Stuart Webber believes there is a "paranoia" surrounding the transfer market as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic continue to be felt.

A handful of big deals have punctuated a quiet window to date with clubs still coming to terms with the financial losses caused by the Covid outbreak.

Webber revealed last week that Norwich lost around £35million as a result of the pandemic and that the sale of player of the season Emiliano Buendia to Aston Villa was, in part, to balance the books.

The Sky Bet Championship winners have added Milot Rashica, Angus Gunn and Pierre Lees-Melou on permanent deals with Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour joining on a season-long loan.

Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour will spend the season at Norwich on loan from Chelsea.
Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour will spend the season at Norwich on loan from Chelsea. (Mike Egerton/PA)

Webber is expecting more business across the Premier League towards the end of the transfer window as Norwich look to retain their top-flight status in the coming season.

"It is about who is available and who is willing to come," he replied when asked about any further incomings at Carrow Road.

"If you look throughout Europe the market is very slow, we are a club who has done some of the most business and we still feel like we have got a bit to do.

"I think there is a paranoia around the transfer market at the moment with Covid, for sure the money has been hit and people are concerned about selling at the wrong price and that player being worth a lot more in six weeks time.

"You can feel that paranoia from clubs which I really understand. We will look anywhere and everywhere to find players. It is about being smart, not rushing in and being patient."

The Canaries operate a self-funding model and spent less than £4million as they were relegated from the Premier League two years ago.

Daniel Farke, who signed a new four-year contract last week, guided Norwich to an immediate return.

There have now been calls for more money to be spent in an attempt to avoid another battle against the drop – but Webber does not want the club to put short-term success above their financial stability.

"You have to be very careful what you wish for," he added.

Emiliano Buendia left Norwich for Aston Villa earlier in the summer.
Emiliano Buendia left Norwich for Aston Villa earlier in the summer. (Mike Egerton/PA)

"There are lots of clubs playing League One football now who chased a dream, as a football club you have to respect where you are in the food chain.

"There is only one team who can win the Premier League, four who can qualify for the Champions League and two for Europe.

"With the greatest respect to ourselves there are much bigger football clubs than us who have spent millions and millions and failed miserably.

"I think we spend a lot of time communicating with our fan base what is success for our club, we could go away from those values but then you lose the connectivity."

ID:457173:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6584:
Written by
P A

Click here for more stories about Stuart Webber

Click here for more stories about Norwich City

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Norwich City manager Daniel Farke pictured in February 2021
Read Next:
Daniel Farke: 'I would not accept 17th in Premier League'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
Read more about Stuart Webber Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds26158348192953
2Burnley27141123192253
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd26166436171952
4Sunderland27149439221751
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2612683123842
6Middlesbrough26118743321141
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom26913432211140
8Watford26115103637-138
9Bristol City2691073330337
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2610793840-237
11Norwich CityNorwich269984337636
12Swansea CitySwansea2697103030034
13Queens Park RangersQPR2671182934-532
14Millwall257992423130
15Preston North EndPreston2661282834-630
16Coventry CityCoventry2678113437-329
17Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2678112941-1229
18Derby CountyDerby2676133135-427
19Stoke CityStoke2669112432-827
20Luton TownLuton2674152744-1725
21Cardiff CityCardiff2659122641-1524
22Hull City2658132536-1123
23Portsmouth2558123044-1423
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2649132554-2921


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!