Norwich City’s signing attempt justified – player begins to explode

Norwich City attempted to bring Bodo/Glimt star Casper Hogg to the Championship in the winter market. Philippe Clement’s side will regret missing out and a deal in the summer could be beyond the Canaries’ reach.

The club added Mohamed Toure to Clement’s squad in January and he arrived from Randers FC.

Josh Sargent left for Toronto FC in February. This year he only made any league appearances as he trained with Norwich City U21.

His situation forced the Championship side to look for a new striker in the last window and they signed Touré. Before his arrival, Clement’s side moved towards Hogg.

Hogg scored 27 goals and provided nine assists in 49 appearances in all competitions in 2025. This includes 17 goals and five assists in 28 league games and an average of 0.96 goals per game, and this drops to 0.83 without penalties.

The 25-year-old has impressed in the Champions League in 2026, scoring five goals and providing two assists in five matches.

This included a goal in Bodo/Glimt’s 3–1 win over Manchester City, a goal in the 2–1 win over Atlético Madrid, a goal and two assists in the 3–1 win over Inter Milan. He failed to make an immediate impact in the return leg against the Serie A team, but the Norwegian club knocked them out of the competition.

In the last 16, he scored again in a 3–0 win over Sporting. His goals will help Bodø/Glimt book a place in the Champions League quarter-finals, unless there is a new shock in the return leg. The Dane achieved this because his club blocked him from joining Norwich City.

Norwich City rejection is reaping the rewards

In January, Sports Witness broadcast news Bodo/Glimt rejected the Canaries’ offer for a frontman. Therefore, he should be pleased that the transfer to Norwich City never happened.

Friday edition of spare magazine Cover comments from Norway manager Stel Solbakken praising Hogg. He is surprised by the rapid progress made by Dane.

“I was in Denmark when he played for Randers and Aalborg. If you had told me he would dominate the Champions League a few years later, I would have said you could forget about it.” He said.

“If you compare Casper Hogg in October with the version we see now in mid-March, they are two completely different players.

“Bodo/Glimt need some players who can do a little something extra. Casper Hogg has become a completely different player. You feel that when the ball drops into the box now, Casper Hogg is there.”

Denmark manager Brian Reimer recently told Norway’s TV2, relayed by boldThe Hogs have impressed them.

“There are many talented players. I can’t include them all, but him.” [Høgh] Very nice figure made. “I have to keep that in mind in my deliberations.” He said.

signing will become more expensive

In August, the player signed a new contract until December 2029. After one month, its value, as per transfer marketincreased to €10m [the highest it’s been] and fell to €8m in December.

His new valuation following his Champions League flop has not yet been determined. This is likely to increase further if Reimer includes him for the March international break.

In short, if Norwich City are keen to sign him in the summer, the deal will be more expensive. They are likely to face competition from several other clubs.

#Norwich #Citys #signing #attempt #justified #player #begins #explode

Sunderland €28m offer renewal drama begins – transfer possible after WC

In the summer transfer window, sports witness Sunderland’s interest in Bologna’s Jhon Lucumi was closely covered.

The Black Cats were desperate for the defender who was keen on a deal. Despite their best efforts, the parties could not persuade Bologna to sell the player.

The Rossoblu were proud to keep hold of the Colombian, who has returned to his best form again this season.

However, there is still doubt about his future. Lucumi has not yet signed a new deal at Bologna, where his current contract expires in the summer of 2027.

The decision regarding his future is approaching in a few months gazzetta dello sport Look carefully.

Gazzetta dello Sport: key points

Italy’s Pink Daily reports that a new deal from Bologna is already on Lucumi’s table. But now, Colombia will take a decision regarding this after the International World Cup is over.

Furthermore, Gazeta also added why the move to Sunderland did not materialise.

The main reason was the sale of Sam Beukema and Dan Ndoye by Bologna. They did not want to lose another player, especially since the Black Cats did not make any approaches while his release clause was active.

Sunderland might have had a chance if they had offered €28 million when his release clause was relevant. This is used to blame Regis Le Bris’s side, but things are now looking quite complicated for Bologna once again.

Analysis: Sunderland and John Lucumi

Gazzetta is not sure whether Sunderland still want Lukumi or not, but the player would be keen on a move to England again. Manchester City was previously mentioned as a contender, although nothing has progressed in that direction.

The 27-year-old player’s stock is still very high in Italy. Even though he is currently struggling with an injury, he has again demonstrated his ball-playing ability and recovery speed.

Sunderland must now consider a return for Lukumi. There probably won’t be a better chance to sign him this coming summer, unless other Premier League clubs really join the race.

He is expected to play for Colombia in the World Cup, which will obviously have an impact on his value depending on his performances.

Contract status and agent

John Lukumi

Jhon Lucumi’s Bologna contract runs until the end of June, 2027. This puts the Serie A club under some pressure and without a renewal it will impact its value.

transfer market He is currently worth €25m. This is an all-time high, up from almost €17m last summer. This amount is probably less than his real value, as Sunderland offered €28 million.

The defender is represented by Wasserman, who has a number of Premier League clients.

#Sunderland #28m #offer #renewal #drama #begins #transfer

Manchester City begins transfer process for Brighton player

Brighton midfielder Diego Gomez is making headlines in Paraguay. recently, We covered reports Claiming that one of the Premier League’s Big Six clubs are planning a move for him after the World Cup. Now, a new update suggests that the club could be Manchester City.

Paraguayan journalist irwin velazquez say City have already carried out a first exploratory investigation into the 22-year-old. He claims that scouts regularly attend Brighton matches to keep an eye on the midfielder’s performances.

According to Velazquez, Gomez’s recent form has put him firmly on the Etihad radar. The journalist says Pep Guardiola has added the player to a list of names the club is monitoring ahead of the next transfer window.

March meetings at various places

This claim also links to our previous report from Paraguay. Journalist chris perez Said meetings are expected to take place in March between Gomez’s representatives and one of the interested Premier League clubs. Velazquez’s update suggests the club could be Manchester City.

If accurate, those meetings would represent preliminary discussions rather than formal negotiations. Premier League sides often begin negotiations months before a potential move becomes realistic.

Still, the mention of a specific meeting adds a clearer timeline to the speculation.

The numbers are attracting attention

Gomez’s performance helps explain why interest is growing. The midfielder has been playing very well in recent weeks and even scored a fantastic goal last weekend.

Furthermore, a recent study by the International Center for Sports Studies (CIES) placed them at the top of the Premier League metrics. According to the research group, Gomez is currently the most dynamic player in the league.

The statistics show that the Paraguayan makes an average of more than 44 explosive sprints for possession every 30 minutes. This figure puts him ahead of high-profile midfielders such as Enzo Fernandez, Tijjani Rijnders and Declan Rice.

These numbers highlight his constant pace when Brighton has the ball, as he frequently attacks space or provides passing options at maximum pace.

Opportunity to work under Guardiola

The transfer to Manchester City would also be a unique milestone for Paraguayan football. local journalist evan alexis indicates that, if the transfer ultimately goes through, Gómez would become the first Paraguayan player to work under Pep Guardiola.

That detail has already attracted attention in Paraguay, where Guardiola’s reputation and City’s dominance in recent years make the link particularly notable.

However, for now Gomez is focused on continuing his development at Brighton and in the Premier League. Whether the reported interest develops into something concrete will depend on future talks and how much Brighton value the midfielder.

#Manchester #City #begins #transfer #process #Brighton #player

Grizzlies exploring 3 Zach AD insurance policies as March Madness begins

They’re really playing the blues before the basketball game on Beale Street. Ongoing discomfort and a process to address a talar bone strain have soured another Zack Eddy season, leaving fans wondering what will happen in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Memphis Grizzlies still have an investment in the 7-foot-4 Canadian as part of the future core, but the scouting department’s priority is identifying a frontcourt insurance policy as the NCAA March Madness ramps up.

Eddy played only 11 games of the 2025–26 season, averaging 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks before suffering an ankle strain reaction. Everyone expects him to be back in the production lineup for at least 65-80 games next season. However, this is asking a lot considering AD’s career highs in on-court mileage. Shooting Floor The same applies to identifying front-court pieces with modern NBA production demands. Memphis should try the same.

Ade Mara has a 7-foot-3 frame that would theoretically pair well with Ade, but Michigan’s paint hub has made just two three-pointers total in college and is hitting below 50% from the free-throw line. This combination clogs the vacancy to the point where few NBA rosters can productively absorb him. The same logic disqualifies Taris Reed and Flory Bidunga. Henry Vissar is a legitimate second-round name, but Kleiman’s Grizzlies are not in a position where a developmental gamble meets the urgency of the current rebuild.

Chris Cenac Jr. is crowned champion

Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) drives the ball against the Kansas Jayhawks during a game inside Allen Fieldhouse on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.
Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal/USA TODAY Network

Houston’s other freshman phenomenon is starting to heat up again. While the Kingston Flemings are getting lottery teams in the Space City, New Orleans native Chris Cenac Jr. is a player a championship team is hoping to steal. Four-time NBA champion Andre Iguodala made headlines by predicting that the 19-year-old would be the first overall pick in this draft. He is ranked 13th to 22nd overall on the consensus major boards. It’s a perfect fit for the Grizzlies.

Cenac’s defensive rebound percentage (26%) ranks him second among all freshmen, ahead of Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson, Nate Ament and Hannes Steinbach. He ranks in the 97th percentile in at-rim efficiency, boosted by 30 highlight dunks. Elite mobility, with the ability to switch to the perimeter and guard guards, is evident in high-major games. His length and vertical pop are serious rim protector traits that will be massive. Blocking shots and disrupting passing lanes should be no problem on the first day of NBA training camp.

Standing 6 feet 11 inches tall and weighing about 240 pounds, Senac (9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds) is a mixture of Herb Jones and Anthony Davis. That’s the roof. Natural fluid athleticism is rare for a player his size, and he has increased confidence in taking jumpers, including from beyond the arc, which could make him a modern stretch in the NBA. His floor is still higher than all the other big men not selected in the top five in the last five drafts.

It’s all about landing spots, and the Grizzlies have a great rookie role in Cenac as Ade’s sidekick. Kelvin Sampson said before the season that Cenac would be a pop man rather than a roll man, able to spot spots in transition, handle the ball and pass. The results have been substantial but certainly not shocking. There are concerns about his lack of signature skills and occasional inconsistency in performance, especially in rebounding.

ClutchPoints watched the game sitting next to the NBA decision maker and Cenac was boxed out twice in one half by the smallest player on the court. Three-point shooting (32.9%) seems to be maxed out given the free-throw (61.1%) numbers. Houston is working to break those bad habits and increase accuracy before the conference tournament begins. The Grizzlies should reap those awards for the rest of the decade.

hannes steinbach is a star

Admittedly, Hannes Steinbach is not as athletic as Cenac. However, the most decorated frontcourt freshman in the Big Ten is not on a tournament team, which is either the saddest story of March or the most convenient situation for lottery-bound organizations to do their homework. For a quick update on the Portal Era, the 19-year-old went through the Wurzburg Baskets youth program and has Basketball Bundesliga experience, but he wanted to test the NCAA waters this season.

Averaging a double-double at 18.2 points (33.3% 3PA) and 11.4 rebounds per game he was already climbing high on draft boards, so coming to the states was the right call. Even without real perimeter help and playing through frequent double-team looks, he leads the Big Ten in rebounding and has recorded 11 double-doubles. This is high-floor production the Grizzlies can use immediately. Averaged 17.4 points and 13 rebounds to lead Germany to a silver medal at the FIBA ​​U19 World Cup last summer, reflecting that championship mentality.

Tuomas Isalo would love to have reliable rebounding, high effort level and above average skills for a big man. Steinbach can be deployed everywhere and expect to be successful as a rookie, and has more progression as a shooter (71.1% FTA). Footwork, internal strength, touch, decision making, tested internationally, all the boxes are checked. Scouts view him as one of the safest bets among the bigs for a reason, even if it’s hard to envision an All-NBA upset.

Patrick Ngongba II needs time

The skilled finishing around the rim, solid vision and steady defense that fills Patrick Ngongba II’s stat sheet (10.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists) draws praise from scouts. If the Grizzlies get a chance to bring the Duke star to FedEx Forum, Ja Morant will be happy to throw passes like Nikola Jokic. Ngongba II was limited as a rookie due to a lingering foot injury, averaging 3.9 points and 2.7 rebounds in 10.6 minutes, but those numbers have bounced this season (1.7 steals/block). The NBA front office believes his exponential growth trajectory is just starting to build momentum.

Nongba II will be a more reliable rim protector and better assist protector than the New Orleans Pelicans got in Yves Missy. His court-reading and instinctive adjustments to connecting with the team are far ahead of most teammates. Memphis may get a glimpse of Marc Gasol during Summer League action.

However, the 20-year-old has an extensive history of foot injuries. Ngongba II originally had two screws inserted in his right foot in high school, and last summer he was seen in a boot on his left foot. Between injuries and lack of shooting, the Grizzlies will need their second first-round selection (from Orlando).

As March Madness approaches and scouting intensifies, the discovery of the Jack Eddy insurance policy is likely to become one of the defining stories of this rebuild. The Grizzlies probably don’t know yet what their next core looks like, but the path almost certainly passes through the frontcourt class of the 2026 draft.


#Grizzlies #exploring #Zach #insurance #policies #March #Madness #begins