Norwich City head coach David Wagner insisted Andrew Omobamidele’s Premier League deadline night move to Nottingham Forest is a win for both parties.

Wagner sanctioned the Irish centre back’s late exit in a deal that could rise to £20m, after the Reds’ initial approaches were rebuffed.

Omobamidele made it clear he wanted a top flight return, which prompted a frantic few hours on Friday night that saw the 21-year-old depart and Danny Batth arrive on a free transfer.

Batth was in the director’s box for Saturday’s 2-1 Championship defeat to Rotherham, after City officials completed a deal with minutes to spare.

Reports in the north-east suggested the experienced centre back had not featured in previous club Sunderland’s early league games due to a clause that would trigger a six-figure payment for another league appearance.

But Wagner made it clear after the Rotherham defeat Batth is fit and ready to compete with Shane Duffy and Ben Gibson for a starting spot.

“It was very late in the transfer window but a very, very good offer for Andrew came in and we decided to sell him,” said Wagner. “Obviously Andrew wanted to take the chance to go back to the Premier League as well.

"I said this before if a situation like this happens we will always decide in the best interests of the football club. Both from a financial and a sporting point of view.

“With Danny coming in I am very relaxed on the centre back situation. We filled this gap with a player who is well known to Stuart (Webber) and Clem (Paul Clements) from their time at Wolves. A top professional, a super character.

“This is a little bit the same idea we had with Adam Forshaw. A player who will challenge our other centre backs for sure. Another player who was desperate to join us as well.

"We have added two more guys to our group (along with South Korean striker Hwang Ui-Jo). Both are healthy, both are fit. Both had good pre-seasons.”

Batth will be put through his paces at Colney during the international break. Former Leeds midfielder Forshaw played for the under-21s earlier on Saturday as he steps up his fitness and Wagner also delivered positive news on Borja Sainz and Onel Hernandez.

Eastern Daily Press:

Summer signing Sainz has not featured after an ankle ligament injury while Hernandez broke his hand in the League Cup win at QPR.

Jacob Sorensen should also return to training towards the end of the international fortnight, after a minor operation on a pelvic complaint.

“Borja, Forsy, Onel will train these next two weeks,” he said. “Forshaw played 45 minutes for the under-21s, after 20 minutes in the cup. With two more weeks, maybe some more under-21 minutes, and we can say he has finished his pre-season of team training. Then he is in contention.

“The other guys, like Borja, will need a pre-season and some under-21 minutes. Lunghi (Jacob Sorensen), I hope is back for the end of the international period.”