City's hopes of prising Cameron Jerome out of Cardiff City's grasp for less than £2 million appeared to be dwindling after Bluebirds' owner Sam Hammam slapped a “£3.

City's hopes of prising Cameron Jerome out of Cardiff City's grasp for less than £2 million appeared to be dwindling after Bluebirds' owner Sam Hammam slapped a “£3.5 million - minimum!” price tag on his young star.

The 19-year-old striker grabbed his 14th goal of the season amid rave reviews for his efforts in last weekend's 2-1 FA Cup third round defeat by Arsenal.

With the Canaries openly declaring their interest in the new England Under-21 international, it appears to have become a two-horse race for the youngster's services with Sheffield United understood to have lodged a formal bid for Jerome of about the £2 million mark.

Neither club would appear to interest Hammam on the back of comments he made on a supporters' coach travelling to Cardiff's FAW Premier Cup tie with Camarthan Town on Tuesday night.

“It will take a top Premier League club to sign Cameron Jerome,” Hammam was quoted as telling Bluebirds' fans. “And only then for £4 million or £5 million, but certainly not less than £3.5 million.”

So far, the only Premiership clubs to have expressed any vague interest in a swoop for the powerfully-built Cardiff striker are Everton and Charlton Athletic, but so far, neither has made a firm offer for Jerome.

If Hammam is true to his word and holds out for £3.5 million, that would certainly test Norwich's interest to the limit - particularly with Sheffield United able to play the Premiership-bound card.

The world will, however, look a completely different place should both Robert Green and Dean Ashton find themselves with Premiership employers in the next two weeks.

With Norwich currently holding firm to a £2 million valuation on England keeper Green and a likely £7 million-plus figure for Ashton - coupled to the savings in wages on the pair's Carrow Road contracts - the problem for the Canaries will be persuading other clubs to accept realistic fees when everyone sees them awash with cash following big money exits by their in-demand duo.