Norwich City Drops Sargent Amid Transfer Drama With Toronto

Norwich City striker Josh Sargent finds himself at the center of a storm, as the American international has been relegated to training with the club's Under-21 squad following a dramatic standoff over his future. Manager Philippe Clement confirmed on Friday that Sargent, 25, will not feature in the squad for Saturday’s crucial EFL Championship clash against Wrexham, a decision that underscores the escalating tension between player and club as Norwich battles for survival in England’s second tier.

The saga began last weekend when Sargent informed Clement via text message that he would be unavailable for Norwich’s FA Cup tie against Walsall. The Canaries went on to deliver a resounding 5-1 victory without their star striker, but the fallout was immediate. Clement, speaking in a club press conference, didn’t mince words: “Josh has been training with the Under-21s, what he has done is not acceptable. We want to focus on the players available and get us out of the position we are in currently. There’s not much more to focus on now apart from Wrexham and getting results.”

This disciplinary measure comes at a critical juncture for Norwich. The club sits just one point from safety in the Championship’s relegation zone, with vital fixtures against West Bromwich Albion, Coventry City, and Middlesbrough looming later in January. Clement emphasized that unity and focus are paramount, adding, “I don’t have any fear about distraction in the squad. They’re all working hard in attitude, in team spirit, to get results.”

The underlying cause of Sargent’s absence, however, is more than just a one-off disciplinary issue. Toronto FC, the Major League Soccer powerhouse, has submitted an $18 million bid for Sargent—a figure that could rise to $20 million with bonuses, according to sources close to the negotiations. The American forward, who has three children under the age of five, is reportedly eager to return to North America to be closer to family and to revive his prospects with the U.S. men’s national team ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

Sargent’s desire for a move is hardly a secret. He’s made his intentions clear to Norwich, hoping that a transfer to Toronto will reignite his international career, which has stalled in recent years. Once a regular for the USMNT, Sargent hasn’t been called up since September and finds himself behind the likes of Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright in the pecking order. With five goals in 29 international appearances—and none since November 2019—the striker is keen to make a statement in the lead-up to the World Cup.

Despite the player’s wishes, Norwich’s stance has remained firm. Clement categorically ruled out a January departure for Sargent, stating, “I’ve said that he’s not going to leave in this window. It’s not going to happen. This club is in a relegation battle and you have a player with a two and a half year contract.” The club’s precarious position in the league table has made any potential transfer even more complicated, with Clement underscoring the need for all hands on deck: “There’s alignment from everybody in the club ... there needs to be an amount that everybody agrees with that is big enough to do it in this situation now.”

That said, sources suggest the club’s public position may be as much about negotiating leverage as it is about necessity. Norwich is believed to be holding out for a higher fee, with ongoing conversations with Toronto FC dating back to December. Other clubs, including Premier League side Nottingham Forest, have also expressed interest in Sargent as they seek to bolster their squads for their own relegation fights. The Athletic reported that Sargent was previously the subject of a $28 million bid from Bundesliga club Wolfsburg, which he turned down for personal reasons.

Sargent’s contract with Norwich runs through 2028 and reportedly includes a relegation clause that would allow him to leave at a significant discount should the Canaries drop into League One. For now, though, Clement insists that the striker’s fate is in his own hands: “It depends on him. Focus is on us. It depends on what he does to come back into [the team] or not, we will see.”

On the pitch, Sargent’s contributions have been undeniable since his arrival from Werder Bremen in August 2021. He has notched 56 goals in 157 appearances for Norwich, including 44 goals over the past three Championship seasons. This campaign, however, has seen a dip in form. Sargent has seven goals in 23 league appearances and eight goals with three assists in all competitions, but six of those goals came in the first five games. He’s managed just two goals in his last 19 outings, a slump that has seen Jovon Makama step into a more prominent role up front.

Norwich’s struggles have only increased the pressure on both player and club. The Canaries’ busy January schedule could define their season, and Clement made it clear that the focus must remain on the collective: “You can only control the controllable. That can also happen with injuries. It happened when he had a concussion and other people stepped up and we got results.”

As for Sargent, his immediate future remains in limbo. While he continues to train with the Under-21s, his camp is hopeful that a resolution can be found before the transfer window closes. For now, though, the American striker is on the outside looking in, with his club unwilling to budge and his World Cup dreams hanging in the balance.

The next few weeks promise to be decisive. Will Norwich’s resolve hold, or could a last-minute offer tempt the club to cash in on one of its prized assets? For Sargent, the path back to the first team—and perhaps to the World Cup—may depend on his willingness to mend fences in Norfolk. Either way, the drama at Carrow Road is far from over, and all eyes remain fixed on what happens next.

With Norwich City’s Championship campaign teetering on the edge and Sargent’s future shrouded in uncertainty, the club’s supporters will be hoping for clarity—and, above all, results—before the January window slams shut.