Norwich City fans may fear the worst with Josh Sargent’s 2024 ‘dream’ admission as Leeds United target star

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Leeds United have approached Norwich City regarding a move for prolific striker Josh Sargent following their promotion to the Premier League.

Norwich City have been busy in the summer transfer window following the arrival of Liam Manning from Bristol City, but the newly-appointed head coach faces a battle to keep two prized Canaries assets.

Napoli have submitted multiple transfer offers for Borja Sainz so far this summer after the Spaniard finished runner-up in the Championship golden boot race last season.

Sainz’s Canaries teammate Josh Sargent has also been the subject of transfer interest this summer, with Sky Sports Switzerland claiming the newly-promoted side have made a £16.8m approach for the forward.

Sargent’s honest admission when discussing his footballing “dream” will fill Norwich fans with fear amid his potential summer switch to Elland Road.

• READ MORE: Five Josh Sargent replacements Norwich City should be considering in case star man leaves this summer

Josh Sargent could achieve Premier League dream again with Leeds United

Sargent arrived at Carrow Road in 2021, when current Leeds boss Daniel Farke was in charge, but scored only two goals from 26 top flight appearances in his debut season as Norwich were relegated from the Premier League.

Amid Leeds’ approach for the Canaries star, Farke has already explained why he wants to sign Sargent again, and the allure of becoming a Premier League footballer once again could see the USA international depart Norwich for Leeds this summer.

Sargent explained in 2024, after his season ended in injury, before Norwich were beaten heavily by Leeds in the Championship play-off semi-finals, that the Premier League is his dream footballing destination.

Last year, Sargent told the Men in Blazers podcast: “I always told people it was my dream to play in the Prem. It is ultimately where I wanted to end up,

“I was super happy and excited about the opportunity. In the Prem (Premier League) it is a further step up (from the Bundesliga) in terms of the speed of play and decision-making. Everyone is faster, stronger but the quality on the ball is insane.

“You feel if you make one mistake in the Prem, the other team will punish you for it. You have to focus on every touch, every pass.”

Sargent could realise his Premier League dream again next season, if the interest from Leeds and Farke materialises into a bid, but the Norwich hierarchy will be reluctant to part ways with the prolific forward and his partner in crime, Sainz.

• READ MORE: Five signings Liam Manning needs to make at Norwich City, including star who ‘loves working for him’

Norwich City must stand firm amid Leeds United’s approach for Josh Sargent

Sargent is in high demand after his stellar second tier season, in which he scored 15 goals and notched five assists in just 32 appearances to end the campaign as the Championship’s fourth-highest top scorer, three goals behind his teammate Sainz.

EFL Analysis exclusively revealed in March that there is a “real chance” Norwich will lose Sargent this summer, but Canaries sporting director Ben Knapper remains adamant that the club are in a “strong position” to retain the frontman.

Via the Pink Un, Knapper explained on Sargent: “There’s a lot of clubs that are assessing and circling. Again, he’s a player that’s proven at this level, and he’s, in my opinion, the best striker in the league. So that’s natural.

“But you know Josh has got three years left on his contract and whilst we understand that he’s going to have interest in the market, and that’s natural for a player of that level, we’re in a strong position as a club, and of course, let’s see how things develop.

“But somebody’s going to have to come a big level, I think, to prise them (Sargent and Sainz) away.”

If Norwich are serious about mounting a play-off place charge in the upcoming campaign, in Manning’s first season in charge, then the Canaries hierarchy must ensure the 25-year-old forward remains at the club beyond the summer transfer window, as his proven goal record may be too hard to replace.