Norwich City boss Alex Neil insists he is ready for transfer poker games
Noriwch City left-back Martin Olsson is firmly in Swansea City's sights. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Alex Neil insists Norwich City have to be cute to thrive in the transfer market poker games.
The Canaries' new boss revealed one of his first tasks after replacing Neil Adams was to draw up a hit list of potential recruits, with Hamilton exciting playmaker Tony Andreu strongly linked with his old Accies' boss after an impressive goalscoring season in the SPL.
Neil also knows City must fend off interest in key assets following Premier League Swansea's initial enquiry for Swedish international left-back Martin Olsson, while highly-rated duo Nathan Redmond and Gary Hooper are sure to attract suitors ahead of the February 2 deadline.
Neil predicts a frenetic end to the window as he looks to equip the Canaries for a full-on promotion assault, but the Scot is adamant Norwich must hold their nerve.
'What tends to happen is at this stage of the window people are looking for top dollar,' he said. 'By the end it becomes slightly different and everyone tends to do their business then, unless there is something concrete happening.
'That is an on-going process. In terms of attracting players work started on my first day. Once I'd dealt with the lads here I was talking about potential targets that first evening and looking at where we can try and strengthen. There is nothing imminent but generally it's the last week or few days when things do happen. There is a lot of work to be done. At a club this size that is always the case.'
The City boss is likely to face more loan enquiries for his fringe men after sanctioning recent departures for Cameron McGeehan and Jamar Loza, but Neil dismissed reports Bournemouth wanted to bring Lewis Grabban back to the south-coast.
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'Not as far as I am aware. Lewis is part of the squad,' said Neil, with the striker making a late cameo appearance against Cardiff at the weekend. 'He was a bit unfortunate down at Bournemouth because I was actually bringing him on before the sending-off. I am certainly looking to see more of between now and the end of the window.'
