Search icon

Football

28th Jan 2017

Robbie Brady provides yet another pinpoint assist, manager offers transfer update

Could well have played his last game for Norwich

Darragh Murphy

If Premier League sides are after a set-piece specialist, we know a fella.

Robbie Brady has found himself one of the most in-demand players in the January transfer window and he gave his several suitors a good look at his abilities during Norwich’s 2-0 victory over Birmingham in the Championship on Saturday.

Brady has proven time and time again that he possesses too much quality for the Championship and with the play-offs looking like the best case scenario for the eighth-placed Canaries, the Dubliner’s easiest route back to the top flight is with a move.

And he has no shortage of options.

Crystal Palace were said to be in the driving seat but talks stalled late last week while Burnley, Sunderland and Leicester are also believed to be interested in the 25-year-old’s services.

Brady, as was to be expected, is not letting the transfer tattle affect his performances on the pitch as the Republic of Ireland international continues to let his feet do the talking.

Brady provided another stunning example of his adroitness with a dead ball on Saturday afternoon when his sumptuous free kick landed perfectly on the head of teammate Timm Klose, putting the goal on the plate for the Swiss international.

As was to be expected, Norwich manager Alex Neil was asked about the Brady situation after the game and he explained where they were in the negotiation process.

“It is hard to say,” Neil said, in quotes appearing in the Eastern Daily Press. “It really depends on, one, if I can attract the calibre of player I deem Robbie to be. That is extremely difficult and, two, if I can get a deal done because I can’t let Robbie leave the club unless we sign a suitable replacement.

“Potentially we will have players coming in and going out. It is really difficult to say. We are trying to do work but it will depend on players leaving the club.”

It has been suggested that Norwich have identified Wigan’s Yanic Wildschut as a potential replacement for Brady should he leave Carrow Road this month but Neil would not be drawn into commenting on the Dutchman.

“In terms of him (Wildschut) the one thing I don’t like doing is commenting on other teams’ players,” Neil added. “I will talk about Robbie, because he is my player, but all I will say is we are trying to do business.”