Norwich City transfer rumours: Liverpool lead negotiations as Canaries full-back flies home

Norwich City left-back Jamal Lewis has reportedly flown back to England ahead of possible transfer talks, with Liverpool said to have shown serious interest in the left-back.

Liverpool’s interest has been mentioned tentatively in recent months but moved on during Tuesday evening as the Independent published a report from Melissa Reddy, a reporter known to be well connected when it comes to the Reds.

The report states that Jurgen Klopp sees the Northern Ireland international as ideal competition for Andrew Robertson following a season when the reigning European champions also became world champions and finally finished their 30-year wait for another English crown.

Part of that is due to Luton-born Lewis qualifying as a homegrown player, although the report suggests Liverpool are only willing to play £10million to seal the deal, for a player under contract until 2023.

It is also pointed out that the Canaries academy product is represented by the same agency, PLG, as Robertson and Reds right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. PLG announced Lewis had joined them in April.

Liverpool boss Klopp is said to have been impressed by the defender’s ability and attitude, with potential to continue improving. The 22-year-old made his 100th appearance for Norwich on the final day of the season as a relegation campaign ended with a 5-0 thrashing at Manchester City.

The former Luton Town trainee made 28 top-flight appearances this season, scoring a spectacular winner against Leicester at Carrow Road in February.

He was mostly kept out of the team by the form of Sam Byram during December and January but was a regular for Daniel Farke during the Championship title-winning season of 2018-19, being named in the Championship Team of the Season at the EFL Awards.

The Independent report concludes that Lewis returned from a short holiday in Greece over the weekend ahead of potential talks but that Liverpool are not the only interested party, with assurances over game-time a key issue for a developing player.

Tottenham and Crystal Palace have both been linked with Lewis in the past year as well. He is said to be on a shortlist of four players the Reds are considering, including Kostas Tsimikas of Olympiakos.

The Telegraph followed on swiftly with a similar story and added a new name to the mix, suggesting the Canaries are interested in Liverpool left-back Yasser Larouci.

The 19-year-old still has a year left on his contract but BBC Sport reported in June that the Algerian full-back would be leaving this summer, suggesting talks with Leeds and Brentford had already been held.

Crucially perhaps, the former France Under-19 international is due to qualify as a homegrown player in November himself, when he will have been in England for three years.

With a perspective swap deal seemingly being suggested, City already have Sam McCallum coming into their squad, having been signed in a deal worth a reported £3.5million in January before remaining with Coventry to seal the League One title.

Philip Heise appears to be surplus to requirements, after a spell back in Germany with Nuernberg, but Norwich do have academy options at left-back as well in Caleb Richards and Rob Nizet.