Norwich City have signed Lewis Grabban for an undisclosed fee, but have denied they have followed this up with an offer for Jordan Rhodes.
Having endured a difficult campaign last time round, in which they were relegated from the Premier League, the Canaries will be looking to bounce back to the top-flight at the first time of asking. Neil Adams was given the managerial position when Chris Hughton was sacked in April, but he had too little a time to save them from the drop.
He has since been give the job on a permanent basis, and he has begun his plans for the Championship by adding Grabban to his squad. The 26-year-old scored 35 goals in 93 appearances during a two-year spell at Bournemouth, and he will link up with Norwich later this summer after putting pen to paper on a three-year contract.
“I am delighted that Lewis has become my first signing,” Adams told the official club website. “He will provide pace, intelligent movement and a high work ethic to the front line, and of course he showed in the Championship last season that he is capable of scoring a variety of different goals. I am really looking forward to integrating him into the squad.”
Earlier this week it was reported that City had set their sights on an ambitious move for Rhodes, who is one of the most prolific goalscorers outside of the Premier League. Indeed, the Scotland international has been linked with a host of clubs from the top-flight, and Blackburn Rovers must know they face a fight to retain his services.
The link with Norwich surfaced after Joe Royle, who worked with him whilst they were both at Ipswich Town, was appointed as football consultant at Carrow Road. However, as much as Adams would undoubtedly welcome Rhodes to East Anglia with open arms, he has dismissed reports that an offer has been tabled to sign the 24-year-old striker.
“I’ve seen all the rumours,” Adams told the Pink ‘Un. “I think they’ve put two and two together and come up with 25. Obviously Joe Royle had him as a young player, and I played with his dad Andy Rhodes. That’s where the links are. We’ve made no offer for Jordan Rhodes – fantastic player, don’t get me wrong, but there’s been no offer.”
Meanwhile, Adams has also denied that one of his current crop of strikers, Gary Hooper, has asked for a transfer. The 26-year-old only joined the Canaries last summer, but struggled to find his best form with just six Premier League goals to his name. The Norwich manager, though, insists the former Celtic striker is not actively seeking a swift exit.
“There’s been no transfer request from Gary Hooper,” he added. “I’ve spoken to him and he is a player we need to keep here. He can score goals, Gary Hooper can. He will be a big part of the squad, along with many, many others. I’ve told him I need him here to hopefully be part of pushing this team back into the Premier League, and he was happy with that.”
