Norwich City transfer rumours: Eintracht Braunschweig defender Saulo Decarli not interested in Canaries opportunity David Freezer

david.freezer@archant.co.uk

@davefreezer

Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2010

Swiss defender Saulo Decarli has reportedly turned away interest from Norwich City, as the central defender is focused on playing in the German top flight.

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The 25-year-old helped Eintracht Braunschweig finish third in Bundesliga II to qualify for the promotion play-off, which was lost 1-0 to see Wolfsburg retain their Bundesliga status.

Decarli’s agent, Dieter Langhans, has told Braunschweig sports magazine Seen that Norwich had asked the centre-back to travel to Norfolk and admits that a deal would have been financially rewarding.

However, the report adds that it is Decarli’s “dream” to represent Switzerland and that Bundesliga side Hamburg are interested in Braunschweig’s defensive star.

The former Swiss under-21 international has two years remaining of a five-year deal signed in 2014 and is now set for talks ahead of pre-season – but is not said to be motivated by money, as he wants to play at a higher level.

Decarli made 28 league appearances last season, scoring twice, and stands at around 6ft 2ins tall.

The reports in the German media follow hot on the heels of Arminia Bielefeld defender Julian Borner similarly turning down the opportunity of a move to Norwich.

The 26-year-old centre-back, who also plays in Bundesliga II, is said to have told the Canaries the timing was not right as he has recently become a father for the first time.

The links to players in Germany persist following the Canaries’ appointment of Daniel Farke as head coach, moving from Borussia Dortmund II, the U23 side of the Bundesliga giants who play in the fourth tier.

Farke’s knowledge of players in his homeland has already seen Bosnia & Herzegovina international midfielder Mario Vrancic arrive from Darmstadt in a move worth around £650,000, as well as his former Dortmund II captain Christoph Zimmermann signing on a free to bolster City’s central defensive options.

While Decarli and Borner look unlikely to be part of the fresh German influence being introduce by Farke and sporting director Stuart Webber, similar links look set to continue in the coming months.