Don Goodman can understand why Leeds United would be interested in signing Josh Sargent, but does not expect Norwich City to sell for anything less than £10million.
Mirror journalist Darren Witcoop reported on 19 May that Leeds are among the clubs looking at Sargent, who looks set to move on from Carrow Road this summer.
Sargent still has four years to run on his Norwich contract, however, and the Canaries will not allow a player who scored 16 goals in 28 Championship games last term to leave on the cheap.
Speaking to MOT Leeds News about Leeds’ reported interest in the American, Goodman said: “There’s an element of being realistic with targets, but at the same time you’re also not going to get Josh Sargeant for cheap.
“I should think you’re talking £10m or more – he’s Norwich’s prized asset and they’ve just appointed a new manager, who will want to progress the club. So they will be reluctant to sell one of, if not the, best player they have, especially because Leeds are a direct competitor.
“Then again, if Leeds flex their muscles and Sargeant becomes unsettled and insists he wants to play for Leeds United, he would be a fantastic buy for them – no doubt about it.
“They would need to manage his body and keep him fit – that was the reason Norwich struggled without him, because he’s an exceptional player. But it’s going to be a long summer and there will be plenty of drama at Leeds no doubt.”
Would Josh Sargent be a good fit for Leeds United?
Right now, Leeds are not exactly crying out for a new attacking player. However, you would imagine that at least one of – or more likely a couple of – Willy Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe will move on before too long.
If Leeds can bring in £25m-plus for Summerville and spend less than half of that on a replacement, that would have to be considered a good piece of business.
The priority will be keeping hold of Summerville in particular, of course, but Leeds fans have to be realistic about what is required in the summer transfer window.
Sargent may not be a name that sets pulses racing, but he scored 0.78 goals per 90 minutes in the 2023-24 Championship season [FBref], which is the fifth-best return of any player to have played more than eight games.
