Norwich bid to prove January is a buyer's market
EmpicsNorwich's bid for Gary Hooper was rejected by CelticLet the games begin. Norwich have tired of the phoney war phase of the January transfer window by partially showing their hand with bids for Celtic striker Gary Hooper and Swansea frontman Danny Graham.
Bhoys' boss Neil Lennon confirmed on Friday lunchtime the Glasgow giants had received and then rejected a firm offer - reportedly in the region of £5 million - for their England U21 forward. Lennon insisted the valuation was "way below" Celtic's own for a player who still has a year and a half left on his current contract. The Canaries have also tested Swansea's resolve to hold onto Graham - although the smoke signals in that part of south Wales are not quite as clear cut.
City's confirmed pursuit of Graham was widely reported in the national print and broadcast media over the last 24 hours, although Swansea have yet to adopt Celtic's official stance. Chris Hughton's holding line during the opening weeks of the New Year window remained a commitment to strengthen. But also an acceptance how tough the terrain is in a month-long scramble where those who might be available attract admiring glances from right across the Premier League.
Norwich will know that fact better than anyone which is why firm moves relatively early in the shopping season should be applauded. If it is a tactic to steal a march on potential rivals it is a positive move. Celtic's rejection of City's initial interest in Hooper may be the opening gambit in a dance which has plenty of time left to beguile all the interested parties. Hooper and his representatives now know there is a viable escape route south if the striker feels the time is right to enter a new phase in his career. The Parkhead giants have a mouth-watering Champions League double header to prepare for against Juventus but with Rangers' demise, their domestic dominance looks to be assured for some time to come. Hooper may feel he has developed as far as he can north of the border.
Celtic, you suspect, will also struggle to match the financial rewards on offer in the Premier League. If Hooper is unwilling to pledge his long-term future to the Hoops, then Celtic will realise there has to be an optimum time to cash in on a diminishing asset. The fact Norwich's pursuit is now in the public domain has the added benefit of smoking out any other possible suitors in a striker who is not a guaranteed first choice, given the flowering of Georgios Samaras.
Which is where Graham may enter the equation. City's hierarchy may reasonably have hedged their bets. Hooper and Celtic know they are not the only show in town. The courtship could just as easily prove a brief flirtation. Graham is clearly behind the free-scoring Michu in the pecking order at the Liberty Stadium. For a lad who struck 12 times in the Premier League last season, that must be a difficult concept to grasp. Sunderland have also reportedly made a firm enquiry.
Both Hughton and Norwich's board have already stressed they will adopt a circumspect approach to financial excess in this window. If Swansea or Celtic feel the Canaries can be enticed into an escalating auction, they should think again.
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