UPDATED Thursday 31st March: ‘ Jordan Hugill Next Season? ‘

UPDATED:

Norwich open to Hugill switch for 'decent fee'

Norwich City would only be open to letting Jordan Hugill return to Cardiff City next season if the Bluebirds tabled a "decent fee" to land the player permanently.

Hugill has enjoyed a decent start to life as a Bluebird, scoring three times and assisting twice in his 11 Bluebirds appearances since his loan move was completed two months ago.

Cardiff would have to not only buy Hugill but also pay his high wages of approx £25,000 a week.







Connor Southwell , who is the Norwich correspondent for the Eastern Daily Press, Norwich Evening News and the Pink Un about what the future holds for the 29-year-old.


The problem for Cardiff is that Hugills current wage is approx £25,000 a week at Norwich and even before Cardiff had stopped paying those kind of wages, Cardiff will be having a smaller budget again next season and a wage cap of £12,000 a week.

Hugill will still be under contract for those high wages at Norwich and this season thanks to Norwich agreeing 50-50 on his wages Cardiff were able to have him since January on loan.








1. What have you made of Hugill's start to life at Cardiff?

It's been pleasing for everyone from a Norwich City perspective, I think.

He played such a big role in what happened in the Championship last season. He was adored by that group of players and was a real cultural architect under Daniel Farke even if his on-pitch contribution was modest in comparison to Teemu Pukki. But he would often be the first player over to the Finn if he scored a winning goal.

He left the club with no ill-feeling but probably a lot of respect gained for the job he did during his season in yellow and green. Throughout his career, he has always needed to prove somebody wrong. This time it was West Brom. At Championship level, Hugill is effective and has found a manager in Steve Morison willing to utilise his strengths in the right way. It's been great to see him back firing, on form and playing with a smile on his face.







2. Have Norwich been keeping close tabs on him? Are they happy with the Cardiff link-up?

To be honest, I think it's tough to completely keep an eye on him when there are more pressing matters at Carrow Road given another relegation looks likely. But they have noted the improvement in performances and have been encouraged given the Championship looks like the division they will be plying their trade in again next season.

It's a weird one in many respects because Hugill is popular but by the same token, fans were never in the stadium to see him play. So that connection is maybe a little different to other players like Onel Hernandez who was prominent in their first Championship title back in 2018/19.

There is also the conversation, given Norwich have only scored 18 goals this season, whether letting him leave on loan was a good decision in the first place given the value he added in the dressing room and how different of an option he is to Pukki. But most - supporters and those inside the club - are really happy for him and the fact he has shown the quality we all know he has at Cardiff.





3. It wouldn't be any surprise to see Cardiff register an interest again this summer. What are their chances of having him back?

It's a tough one. The unknown factor is that Norwich have a different head coach in Dean Smith who will be undoubtedly hoping to have a look at Hugill in pre-season. If it is to be Championship football, then we all know the quality he has in that division and the value he could add to Norwich's promotion push. But they have two strikers under Pukki in Josh Sargent and Adam Idah who are both young and will be hoping to push on in the Championship. Given their lack of goals this year, it may well be a position that they seek to delve into the market to strengthen further.



With that in mind, if there was a deal that could be done that allowed Hugill to return permanently to Cardiff and Norwich got a decent fee, I could see that becoming a possibility. Millwall have been long-term admirers and there will be other parties but given how Hugill has enjoyed his time in Wales, you would imagine he would be open to a return.

Norwich aren't planning an overhaul to their squad at this stage and any role for Hugill is likely to involve him being behind Pukki and Idah in the pecking order. Is that a place he wants to be at this stage of his career? Only he knows the answer. But as he has proven - you can never write him off.







4. Do you think his future with the Canaries is solely dependent on which division they are in next year?


Not especially. It's likely Pukki and Idah will be at Norwich next season regardless, that will make it tough for any striker to force their way into the starting line-up. The problem has been more with the lack of creativity behind them.

So I don't see a situation where they decide to rip up the options they have in that position. But as I say, Smith will be open-minded in pre-season and willing to offer him a chance. There is still a role for him to play but it may be dependent on what direction he wants to career to head in. I would say there is more of a chance he remains at Norwich if they do get relegated but I wouldn't automatically assume that would mean any prospect of signing him is dead in the water.

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

I'd sign him up now if I was in charge but I just can't see us having the money to pay the fee and wages required to get him here.

He's a very good quality centre forward at this level who will be hard to replace. Let's be honest, he may not have the goals that Moore gave us but his all round play is streets ahead.

I'd sign him up now if I was in charge but I just can't see us having the money to pay the fee and wages required to get him here.

He's a very good quality centre forward at this level who will be hard to replace. Let's be honest, he may not have the goals that Moore gave us but his all round play is streets ahead.

Can’t disagree with any of that. Great centre forward who really fits our current style. Wages way to much atm so as I see it there are two ways he could come to us
1) Norwich agree a similar loan deal for another year - not in Norwich’s or the players interest imo. Depends if anyone else wants to buy him though I suppose.
2) We buy him - very unlikely as I can’t see it being a freebie and even if it is, I can’t see him dropping his wage demands by 50%

Unfortunately, I can’t see it happening but who knows.

And the contrarian view

He is brilliant at what he does, a real bull,he has never been prolific, he is a handful and probably get loads of assists and undoubtedly we are a far better team with him in it.

But, for all the fanfare we are still a longball team and Jordans natural skillset and physicality mean we will continue to be to maximize what he does ever so well.

If we are to really change we need to drop the target man system, we have been brainwashed ( ) into thinking this is the only way to play in the championship, its not.

Pukki is 32 !!!

Hugil is on a great salary for another year in an era of reducing salaries. He will start the next season as a target man aged 30 for a manager who know how to get the best out of that position and are a yoyo club, I just can't see him wanting to move.

And the contrarian view

He is brilliant at what he does, a real bull,he has never been prolific, he is a handful and probably get loads of assists and undoubtedly we are a far better team with him in it.

But, for all the fanfare we are still a longball team and Jordans natural skillset and physicality mean we will continue to be to maximize what he does ever so well.

If we are to really change we need to drop the target man system, we have been brainwashed ( ) into thinking this is the only way to play in the championship, its not.

Pukki is 32 !!!

Hugil is on a great salary for another year in an era of reducing salaries. He will start the next season as a target man aged 30 for a manager who know how to get the best out of that position and are a yoyo club, I just can't see him wanting to move.

Even though we have a different view I do see where you are coming from.

I feel the same about Flint and Morrison, really good centre backs but do they fit with how Morison now wants us to play ?

The difference with Hugill is that I think he can adapt and his protection of the ball is what has allowed us to play on the break. It’s probably a pointless argument as I just don’t think we can afford him but all of this will make the summer very interesting.

Norwich open to Hugill switch for 'decent fee'

Norwich City would only be open to letting Jordan Hugill return to Cardiff City next season if the Bluebirds tabled a "decent fee" to land the player permanently.

Hugill has enjoyed a decent start to life as a Bluebird, scoring three times and assisting twice in his 11 Bluebirds appearances since his loan move was completed two months ago.

Cardiff would have to not only buy Hugill but also pay his high wages if approx £25,000 a week.

Norwich paid £5m for Hugill less than 2 years ago so I'm guessing they'll be looking to recoup most of that unless they need to get his wage off their books.

Surely his wages drop when they get relegated anyway. No way a club like Norwich isn't putting relegation clauses in their contracts.


Personally I'd move on to other targets anyway. He's done well here, but if it's going to cost us a lot I'm sure we can pick up someone else cheaper.

Norwich paid £5m for Hugill less than 2 years ago so I'm guessing they'll be looking to recoup most of that unless they need to get his wage off their books.

I’d give them £2m and offer him £12k/week. He’s good but I don’t think he’s worth anymore than that in our current situation.