Norwich City transfer news: Borja Sainz future analysed

With the transfer window already negotiated, the departures of star men Gabriel Sara and Jonathan Rowe completed, and constant speculation around others ceasing, the Canaries were all set for three months of quietude and focusing on football.

But, barely a week after the deadline had passed, the next source of unsettling news was unearthed, as Athletic Bilbao were linked with a move for their former academy prospect.

It's no wonder they've kept an eye on Sainz's progress; they only recruit players from the Basque region, and he's one of them who's begun to shine on the global stage. Seven years on from his initial departure, he's catching the eye in the sport's premier country.

That's why the response from many sections of City's supporter base was despondence, bemoaning the potential loss of a man they'd pinpointed as their next creative superstars. Others suggested that he was simply not a saleable asset, a crucial cog in the new Johannes Hoff Thorup machine.

That seems a reasonable conclusion when observing their start to the season, with the instinctive number seven at the heart of its best moments. He tapped in the second against Blackburn Rovers, and fired the only goal of the game beyond Coventry's Oliver Dovin.

Thorup also loves working with Sainz, praising him last month. "I like him because he's an emotional guy and what you see is what you get," he said. "He's just all-out whenever we play games. Sometimes it's important for teams and it's very good for teams to have these players.

"When he's out there and the game starts he's going, he's pressing, he's running, he's moving, he's counter-pressing, he's dribbling, he's trying to shoot. He's so involved, and that's exactly what we need."

Canaries head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup has praised the winger (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

"Exactly what we need" speaks volumes, and it's true that any system needs a wildcard like the 23-year-old to really flourish. But often that means erraticism, and even this season inconsistency has been a part of Sainz's game.

Final-third quality was lacking in his opening day performance against Oxford, and in the 1-1 draw with Sheffield United very little of what he tried worked. Only 50pc of City's league games so far have included the winger on top form, and that's still less than they need to replace those they've lost.

Another section of the fan base was keen to point this out when the reports initially emerged, sceptical of whether he could really be seen on a par with the likes of Sara and Rowe. He hasn't scored as many goals for Norwich as the latter, nor displayed the imperial quality boasted by the former.

Of course there's time for that to come, and any Bilbao move is unlikely to be before next summer, and clearly impossible before January. But the height of this particular talent ceiling will remain under question until Sainz hits it, and that's another factor in the debate.

Allied to, and perhaps chief in, this discussion is the rather significant fact that Norwich remain a selling club. Whether or not those divided groups can agree on his importance, the Leioa native will always be sold for the right price.

That's a model sporting director Ben Knapper takes great pride in: developing players and selling them for significant profit. Given the fact he arrived on a free transfer, the 'significant' part wouldn't be hard for Knapper to achieve. By January he'll only have 18 months left on his contract, another element worth consideration.

In truth the news of interest in Sainz was a reminder of the never-ending cycle that being a Championship club is. Old heroes are replaced by new heroes, and before long the new heroes move on.

But his Carrow Road journey isn't anywhere near done yet, and he'll hope to keep producing the form that's earned that interest in yellow and green.