Watchful Norwich inch closer to Serie A striker capture
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It’s extremely rare to see a newly-promoted side go through a summer transfer window without buying a new striker, but that is exactly the danger Norwich and Alex Neil face.
Both Watford and Bournemouth have kept up the tradition of bolstering their options in front of goal since climbing into the top-flight from the Championship, but as yet, the Canaries haven’t followed suit.
It isn’t for the lack of trying on Neil’s behalf though, with the former Hamilton Academical admitting that young Italian striker Mattia Destro is on the club’s shopping list.
Having previously stated that he’ll only sign players he believes will “make us stronger and better”, the Scot has taken a deliberate approach to his recruitment drive, but could finally be closing in on his man, according to latest reports.
Destro has been far from a Roma regular since signing for the club in 2012, starting no more than 14 games for them in his three seasons there and spending the second half of last term on loan at AC Milan.
The 2013/14 campaign was easily the 24-year-old’s best in a deep red Roma shirt, netting 13 goals in his 20 appearances and Neil will hope that the striker can replicate that strike rate should he manage to bring him to Carrow Road.
Having added Premier League experience with his previous business, in the form of Youssouf Mulumbu, Graham Dorrans, Robbie Brady and Andre Wisdom, a continental injection up front could be just the ticket to help Norwich’s survival bid.
The considerable anchor of Ricky van Wolfswinkel continues to weigh Carrow Road club down, but the Dutchman’s catastrophic campaign with the club when they were last in the top flight isn’t enough to dissuade Neil from testing the European market.
The yellow and green sporters are 6/4 shots for relegation with Ladbrokes, having thumped Sunderland last time out to boost their hopes.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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