Spending big may not be needed for Norwich City to find the best gems

Lewis Dunk, left, is attracting plenty of interest from Premier League clubs and could be on Norwich City's radar. Picture: PA

Norwich City have already started their summer business. So reporter Gavin Caney looks at who else Alex Neil could entice to Carrow Road.

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Close You currently have JavaScript disabled, functionality will be limited Eleven possible City transfer targets 11: Alex Pritchard, pictured here celebrating scoring the winning goal for loan outfit Brentford at Norwich last season. Picture: PAUL CHESTERTON/FOCUS IMAGES 8: James McArthur. Picture: PA 4: Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk. Picture: PA 1: Keeper Steve Harper. Picture: PA 9: Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford who spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough. Picture: PA 6: Celtic skipper Scott Brown. Picture: PA 3: Everton left-back Luke Garbutt. Picture: PA 7: Burnley's George Boyd. Picture: PA 2: Free agent Ryan Taylor, formerly a Newcastle United defender. Picture: PA 10: Manchester United's young striker James Wilson. Picture: PA 5: Younes Kaboul of Tottenham Hotspur. Picture: PA













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Who could be on Norwich City’s transfer hit-list this summer?

Graham Dorrans was the first ‘new’ arrival following Norwich City’s promotion to the Premier League. While Alex Neil has vowed to keep most of his Championship play-off final winning squad together, the midfielder probably won’t be the last new face to land in Norfolk during the close season. The question now remains who else might the man at the Carrow Road helm try to bring in to bolster his top-flight new-boys? There may in the end not be a massive flurry of activity but here are just 11 players who may be on a wishlist that perhaps isn’t the stuff of dreams – Ronaldo’s hefty transfer fee saw him narrowly miss out – but is at least realistic.

1: Steve HARPER

John Ruddy looks set to remain as the undisputed number one for the Canaries until he is sold – or enters the twilight years of his career. So any keeper who arrives will need to remain patient and accept playing second, or even third fiddle, to Ruddy and Declan Rudd. The release of shot-stopper Mark Bunn does mean there is space for another goalie in City’s ranks. Could that man be Steve Harper? At 40 he’s no spring chicken but would be a more than capable operator who has vast experience of playing a waiting game to get his turn in the Premier League. His insight would help improve City’s keepers and after being released by Hull, Harper wouldn’t cost a penny.

2: Ryan TAYLOR

Injury-hit full-back Ryan Taylor, inset, right, would be seen to be a risk by many. Yet now that he’s on a free the former Newcastle defender could add some much-needed depth – and extra quality – to Alex Neil’s squad. Comfortable on either flank, as well as being a decent midfielder, Taylor is an assured and consistent performer. He also comes across as one who wouldn’t rock the boat – nor produce obscene wage demands. Takes a mean free-kick too.

3: Luke GARBUTT

The Everton left-back’s path to first-team football has been blocked by the excellent Leighton Baines. So it’s inevitable that rumours have surfaced about his future. Seems undecided as to whether to sign a new contract with the Toffees. May not get the senior action he’s after at Carrow Road but the club do need reinforcements in that position after allowing Javier Garrido to depart. If 22-year-old’s deal runs out no fee will need to change hands. If he puts pen-to-paper, could still be a possible loan signing to add competition.

4: Lewis DUNK

Far from being cash-strapped, it’s easy to see that Norwich will be seen as anything but big spenders in the money-mad world of the Premier League. Neil may have to pick some of the best gems out of the Championship in order to bolster his options. One such player could be impressive centre-back Lewis Dunk. While Brighton have endured a miserable season, the defender has been one of their shining lights. Other teams are circling but with many suggesting City need defensive reinforcements – and at a price of around £3-5million – Dunk could be the perfect fit in terms of improvable quality and transfer market value.

5: Younes KABOUL

The 29-year-old has slipped well down Mauricio Pochettino’s pecking order despite being made club captain at Tottenham Hotspur. A lucrative offer from a European giant, like Turkish outfit Besiktas, may be more financially tempting. But the Frenchman could in fact be determined to remain in England and prove he can still cut it at the top level. Would provide plenty of power at the heart of City’s back four alongside another man who was cut adrift by Spurs in the shape of Sebastien Bassong. The ability to pick him up on the cheap – his stay at White Hart Lane expires soon – may also prove to be tempting.

6: Scott BROWN

Alex Neil knows a thing or two about being a top midfielder in Scotland. But even he would admit that Celtic’s captain Scott Brown is perhaps the best man to control the engine room north of the border. The Bhoys’ skipper is idolised at Parkhead but, at the age of 29, now may be one of his last chances to get a move to England and prove just how good he really is. Combative, tigerish and with energy to burn – Brown offers everything in a player that Neil was, and likes. If he was as successful in the yellow and green of Norwich as he was for Celtic, leader would be worth every penny of a reasonably hefty fee.

7: George Boyd

While his Burnley team-mate Danny Ings was grabbing the headlines, classy midfielder George Boyd’s performances at Turf Moor should not be forgotten. Any doubters that he could not cut it in the Premier League were proved wrong and now might be the time to seek an immediate return while his stock is at its highest. Has already lived in this part of the world having spent a large chunk of his career with Peterborough so knows the area and may be keen to return. Unlike Ings’ valuation of £10-12million, Boyd presumably cost no more than half of that sum.

8: James Mcarthur

It was never going to take long for this man’s name to be linked with Norwich City was it? James McArthur played alongside Alex Neil at Hamilton and – like so many at the club – owe so much to the now Norwich City boss. Crystal Palace shelled out £7million for the Scottish international only last summer. So big bucks would have to be paid to land him. Would be hard to prize him away but the thought of linking back up with Neil could be enough to sway him.

9: Patrick BAMFORD

Forget how poor the loanee was for Middlesbrough during the play-off final. He was not fit. Instead, focus on how excellent he was during the season. Patrick Bamford, inset, right, is a top talent who many feel deserves a chance on the big stage. That may never come with Chelsea – especially as Jose Mourinho likes to operate with one striker. So Norwich could take him off the Special One’s hands again on a low-cost loan deal which would benefit all parties.

10: James Wilson

A bidding war for the 19-year-old Manchester United talent, inset, left, is one that the Canaries are never going to win. Yet what they could offer – via a temporary deal – is some serious game time for the highly thought of striker. Louis van Gaal used him sparingly last term and looks almost certain to let him go. But a permanent release appears not in the offing with high hopes being pinned on Wilson for the future. Carrow Road could be his stage to light up the top flight as well as convincing LvG he is good enough for United. Some might argue however, signing an unproven striker is a risk not worth taking.

11: Alex PRITCHARD

Talented midfielder scored for Brentford at Carrow Road last season while on loan from Spurs. Dazzled during his short-lived spell with the Bees and – while City are hardly short of creative players – would add even more quality to their attacking impetus. Young, hungry and if signed on loan, an addition, which would also leave big funds to be used elsewhere.

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