wolfswinkel

Sporting Lisbon confirm they are in talks with Norwich City over striker Van Wolfswinkel

David Cuffley Friday, March 22, 2013
9:26 AM

Norwich City are in talks with Sporting Lisbon over the proposed signing of highly-rated striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel, it has been confirmed.

The Canaries refused to comment on reports in Portugal that they had clinched an £8.5m (10m euros) deal for the capture of the 24-year-old Dutchman.

But Sporting issued a statement of their own, stating that negotiations were under way with Carrow Road.

Newspapers in Portugal claimed City had agreed a deal in London on Wednesday to sign Van Wolfswinkel when the transfer window opens in the summer.

And the statement, published on Portuguese stock market regulator CMVM’s website, read: “Sporting are in talks with Norwich regarding the transfer of Ricky van Wolfswinkel.”

Sporting is a listed company but the 18-time Primeira Liga champions, struggling in 10th place in the table, are reported to be in big financial trouble – with debts of 260m euros.

It is understood the transfer will allow Godinho Lopes, president of the club, to pay two months’ worth of backdated wages to its players and coaching staff.

If the move goes through, Van Wolswinkel would become a new club record signing for Norwich.

City played a straight bat to reports of the deal last night when a club spokesman said: “There is no comment at this stage. We don’t comment on speculation and when there is anything to announce to our fans we will do it through the usual channels.”

Former Vitesse Arnhem and Utrecht striker Van Wolfswinkel, born in Woudenberg, joined Sporting in 2011 for 5.4m euros – about £4.6m – on a deal set to run until 2016.

City boss Chris Hughton was first interested in the player in the January transfer window. At the time, reports in Portugal claimed the Canaries offered seven millions euros, with a potential further three million based on goals scored.

More than once, Hughton has spoken of getting better value for money on the Continent.

The 6ft 1in Van Wolfswinkel has scored 13 goals for Sporting this season to add to the 25 he scored in 2011-12 after his move from Utrecht.

The player’s agent, Louis Laros, based in Holland, could not be contacted last night.

But earlier in the season he said: “There is big interest in Ricky from England. Ricky is like any player in that he is ambitious and the Premier League is a fantastic place.”

Sporting are understood to have demanded at least 10 million euros for Van Wolfswinkel because of a complicated financial arrangement whereby they sold the Dutchman 65 per cent of their “economic rights” for a total of about 3.5 million euros, and would therefore receive only 35 per cent of any transfer fee if he moves on.

News of the move for Van Wolfswinkel followed reports that City are keen to sign Aston Villa’s Andreas Weimann, whose talks about a new deal have stalled.

The 21-year-old Austrian forward has just over a year left on his contract and has scored 11 goals this season, including two in Villa’s 4-1 Capital One Cup victory at Carrow Road in December.

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29 comments

VictorM , believee 'pre contract deals' can be signed from january onwards in the last year of the players contract.

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wivenhoebudgie

Sunday, March 24, 2013
I knew that Mad Brewer would give me a realistic assessment of KK at Norwich. Hope is that he does get a contract and makes Norwich permanent. Yes, he could help Sporting KC. If he'd be moved to a wing position, his contributions would increase; he's very good on assisting teammates runs towards the goal. I do believe that playing in Premier was a dream; a goal is making Premier league salary. Hope Norwich goes after him with a permanent contract.

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Man from the Prairie

Sunday, March 24, 2013
I do wish Archant would stop being so destructively obstructive.

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 24, 2013
I seem to have been excluded from this stream.

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 24, 2013
Give up. My life`s too short.

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 24, 2013
Man from the Prairie, from what we`ve seen so far, KK is a breath of fresh air - a joyous character. It looks like he can play a bit, too! I`d like to see him stay but perhaps a few months of positive exposure to EPL footy via the NCFC vehicle is mission accomplished for all involved parties? Kei, his Agent, SKC, MLS, Image rights folk, his charitable organisation and NCFC? Whatever happens, it`s been a pleasure to have him at Naaridge! The referees` Pratpack (a la Lobbo) may yet even book him for that crazy DraKula gumshield! Battenberg`s opportunity for a bit of rare self-publicity(!).

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 24, 2013
I hope this signing will enhance Kamara's chances of a permanent deal. He put in a great shift at Blunderland and is a definite crowd pleaser.

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DocOhNo

Sunday, March 24, 2013
Sky website states that RVW has signed a 4 year contract with Norwich commencing 1 July. Great news!

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mellow yellow

Saturday, March 23, 2013
Does this have impact on signing Kamara after the loan period? Would he be discarded or is he being considered as part of squad for next season?

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Man from the Prairie

Friday, March 22, 2013
Timbo I just loved your last posting .A very well composed piece indeed.

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yarco

Friday, March 22, 2013
This indeed would be a great coup for Norwich if it materialises. I share the thoughts of other subscribers and am concerned that the way the negotiations have been made public could rake up interest in the player from other previously named premiership clubs, something I am sure Lisbon would welcome as a price would increase. As there is.no transfer window until the end of the season, does anyone know how concrete the negotiations can be, can a pre contract agreement be put into place. Anyway I agree that the negotiations show a positive approach by the club to rectify obvious attacking failings. Should be an interesting summer transfer window, providing we achieve premiership safety of course.

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VictorM

Friday, March 22, 2013
Widely reported now,this marks real ambition by NCFC and if it happens I cannot wait for the chants.Let's hope Mike Walker is not left skint over in Cyprus too.OTBC.

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Peter Watson

Friday, March 22, 2013
all of sudden everyones being rather obsequious towards CH. Lets get another 6 points before we start slapping ourselves on the back. I personally like CH and the job he's doing but hey I might change my mind in a few weeks!

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andys

Friday, March 22, 2013
Fickle, fickle, fickle Canary Girl. One minute you laud Hughton, the next you moan. I remember your posts at the beginninng of the season, preaching how Hughton was the saviour and how everyone should have faith in him. A bad run and he's getting everything wrong. Now a link to a top player after a credible draw with Sunderland, and he's flavour of the month again. Pathetic

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stephen davis

Friday, March 22, 2013
My nephew was on the playing staff at Newcastle whilst CH was in charge and he mentioned that the planning was very detailed and thorough... I hope we are reaping the benefits of that here at City with the defence sorted, the midfield options and now hopefully options in attack!

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smalltownboy

Friday, March 22, 2013
Just going fishing. I think Chris Hughton is just the best and have always said so.

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Lobbo

Friday, March 22, 2013
Talking of MASSIVE clubs- tension mounts @ 1p5wich Down FC over new meat pie deal @ local chuck-wagon. Looks like a straight fight between Northern Hollands + Southern Pukka. Liz Snott + Ged will keep me posted throughout the day as the drama unfolds....

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Timbo

Friday, March 22, 2013
This is fantastic news and a great bit of business by the club! Sorting it now whilst there is no pressure is very good thinking. I'm still eating humble pie over doubting Hoots, but after our performance at Sunderland and now this, I now see Hoots in a completely different light, definitely the right man for our team. This will surely encourage us through the last remaining matches to cement our place in the PL and really build for the future. A big well done to both Hoots and McNally!! otbc

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Canarygirl

Friday, March 22, 2013
Fingers crossed this will happen. Strikes me as much better than Hooper.

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JMH

Friday, March 22, 2013
I like the way CH works. He's shored up the defence first, given us options in mid field and is now turning his attention to the front line. The football at Carrow Rd may not have been as exciting to watch as the gung-ho approach of someone who will remain nameless but the mentality "If they score once, we'll score twice" is not a long term plan. It's good too that CH is moving quickly to get his squad in place for next season. Barring a disaster, we will be in the PL next season and the manager will have a complete squad to work with as soon as pre-season begins. Great forward planning!

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Flying Canary

Friday, March 22, 2013
Lets land the deal and get a win against Wigan

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Albert Cooper

Friday, March 22, 2013
Reports appear mixed...... Some reports state that a deal has been agreed. Others state that the clubs are 'holding talks'. Not sure what to make of all this. Norwich are typically conduction business behind closed doors, but Sporting Lisbon are revealing talks are going on. Could this be sending the message out that 'we are in talks with Norwich about RVW, but, if anyone else wants to join-in the negotiations, they are welcome to do so.' I would say that it sounds like tactics by SL to try and up the ante. Lets hope others realise this and stay out so a deal is done.

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Dubai Canary

Friday, March 22, 2013
Great signing if this goes through. Lets hope we can get Weimann as well. Give CH the funds to bring in his own set of players. If we stay up then I guess we might be have a different style of play next season. Lets also hope we can keep Rudd and give him a chance to shine rather than signing for Preston.

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Oz Canary

Friday, March 22, 2013
3 etherings.....

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Mad Brewer

Friday, March 22, 2013
Two tries. Two etherings. Too much.....

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Mad Brewer

Friday, March 22, 2013
......Reminds me of someone from 'Men Behaving Badly '.....

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Stew Pydsodd

Friday, March 22, 2013
Article one "Norwich City agree €10m deal for Ricky van Wolfswinkel" , Article two. "Sporting Lisbon confirm they are in talks with Norwich City over striker Van Wolfswinkel". A big difference between the two.

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Lobbo

Friday, March 22, 2013
CovCan, just looking forward to the announcement from the Carra - then we know it`s for real! I wonder if this means the end of our interest in Hooperman of Celtic? From what little I`ve seen of him (mostly Celtic in the Champions` League on TV) he hasn`t lit my fire. I think Cinnamon looks better. On the other board on this topic, a lot of speculation about Holty. I, like most others, have tremendous regard for what he has achieved at and for our Club. Unfortunately, `Holt-Appreciation` has been turned into some sort of bizarre contest by one contributor. Bring on the loyalty oaths. Two votes for the decent folks. Sieg!! Btw; there is still the minor matter of STAYING in the Prem! 6 more points?... OTBC.

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Mad Brewer

Friday, March 22, 2013
This would be a great signing. What a signal of intent by CH.

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CovCanary

Friday, March 22, 2013