Norwich City transfer rumours: Canaries keen on Iceland midfielder Aron Gunnarsson, as Sunderland scout Steven Naismith

PUBLISHED: 16:45 09 August 2016 | UPDATED: 16:50 09 August 2016

Iceland's Aron Gunnarsson (centre), who has been linked with a move to Norwich City, leads the Iceland celebrations on the pitch after the Round of 16 match against England at Stade de Nice, France. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire.

PA Wire

Cardiff City's Aron Gunnarsson (left) and AFC Bournemouth's Jordan Green battle for the ball during a pre-season friendly match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Picture: Daniel Hambury/PA Wire

The Sun claim City and Derby have both agreed to meet Cardiff’s £2million valuation of the 27-year-old, whose long throw led to Iceland’s equaliser during their famous 2-1 defeat of England in France.

Gunnarsson has made almost 200 appearances for the Welsh side since joining on a free transfer from Coventry in 2011 but struggled to hold down a regular starting place under Russell Slade.

The combative midfielder made 29 Championship appearances last season, 11 as a substitute, and was an unused substitute in new head coach Paul Trollope’s first league game on Saturday, a 0-0 draw at Birmingham.

That follows a later start to pre-season due to Iceland’s progression to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, where Gunnarsson’s rapport with his countrymen was clear, often leading supporters in celebrations.

Steven Naismith of Norwich - who is reportedly interesting Sunderland - celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal during the Sky Bet Championship match at Ewood Park, Blackburn. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd

With Canaries boss Alex Neil currently having Jonny Howson, Alex Tettey, Graham Dorrans and Youssouf Mulumbu as experienced options, it is debatable whether City need another central midfielder – although Mulumbu has recently been linked with a move to Marseille in L’Equipe.

Meanwhile, Norwich forward Steven Naismith is reportedly being monitored by new Sunderland manager David Moyes.

The Daily Mail report that the Black Cats’ chief scout, Mick Doherty, watched the Scot as he scored once and helped create two other goals in City’s 4-1 win at Blackburn on Saturday.

Moyes signed Naismith from Rangers when he was Everton manager in 2012 and is thought to be keen to strengthen his attacking options, having made just one signing since replacing Sam Allardyce last month.

That £8m arrival of centre-back Papy Djilobodji from Chelsea looks set to pave the way for Lamine Kone to join Everton in an £18million deal – freeing up further funds for the former Manchester United manager to invest.

Whether Naismith would be interested in joining the perennial Premier League strugglers is again debatable however, having only moved to Norwich in January, in a deal worth around £8.5m.

The 29-year-old struggled for full fitness as City slipped out of the top flight but has shown glimpses of his true ability following a full pre-season training campaign.