“UNSETTLED Josh Sargent ruled himself out of Norwich’s FA Cup clash – but Philippe Clement declared the USA international is going nowhere fast. Toronto FC have been in contact with the Canaries and are ready to pay $18million for the star striker. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Norwich City boss Philippe Clement”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
Toronto FC have been in contact with the Canaries and are ready to pay $18million for the star striker.
Thank you!
Norwich City boss Philippe Clement has made his feelings loud and clear on situationCredit: Getty
Norwich City star Josh Sargent refused to play in FA Cup clashCredit: Getty Last summer Sargent himself knocked back a £20million-plus move to Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg.
City head coach Clement said: “He sent me a message yesterday evening that he was not available to play today because of transfer things that are in his head.
“We need to speak about that this week inside the club. But of course it’s not something that you want and it will be something with consequence.
“We know in which situation we are. Him and his agent know the situation, so he will not leave this transfer window.”
Strugglers Norwich are desperate to hold on to Sargent to help their Championship survival bid.
But they look to have another significant asset on their hands in the shape of Jovon Makama, who fired a stunning hat-trick as the Canaries eased past Walsall.
Big Mak has been a major hit since a £1.2million summer switch from League One Lincoln, notching 12 goals.
And he took centre stage again after Matej Jurasek cracked the Canaries ahead on 15 minutes.
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Makama buried a rebound strike in the 24th minute and added to his tally with two further clinical finishes just after the break.
The City ace beat Walsall keeper Myles Roberts with a stinging 15-yard drive on 48 minutes.
Makama completed his treble – his second at senior level – with a cool side-foot shot seven minutes later.
Saddlers sub Courtney Clarke pulled a goal back with a fine curling effort midway the second half.
But Norwich had the final word with sub Tony Springett getting on the score-sheet in added-time.
“I’m happy for Jov,” said Clement about the 6ft 5in striker. “I don’t want to praise him too much, I want to keep him with his two feet on the ground.
“All these weeks the staff are working a lot with him, with videos, showing him things to make him better – the small movements, the small nuances. Also physically he’s developing.
“I’m pleased the way he’s taking things and the ways he’s improving. He has still a lot of potential to become better.”
Jurasek set Norwich on their way to victory with his first goal for the club.
Anis Ben Slimane teed up the ex-Sparta Prague winger who struck with a thunderous first-time blast from 15 yards
Makama made it 2-0 after Jack Stacey’s initial shot was acrobatically cleared off the line by Aden Flint.
Makama scored his second of the afternoon four minutes into the second half.
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Slimane flicked on Jurasek’s cross and Makama dealt with the attentions of the Saddlers defence before netting with a low right-foot shot.
Makama’s third goal of the game rounded off a lovely Norwich move, triggered by Pelle Mattsson.
The Dane’s perfectly-weighted pass was met by Ben Chrisene who crossed from the left for Makama to stroke the ball past Roberts from 11 yards out.
Just over 1,000 travelling Walsall fans finally had something to cheer when in the 67th minute Clarke scored the best goal of the tie.
He shrugged off two Norwich players and cut in from the left before fizzing a stunning 22-yard shot high into the net.
But Saddlers conceded again in the 92nd minute as Springett slid in a 12-yard shot via the inside of a post for his first Norwich goal after a clever pass from fellow replacement Liam Gibbs.