Transfer Talk: Canaries outcast Cantwell set to fly the nest

Todd Cantwell looks to be on the brink of exiting Norwich.

The Canaries academy product is out of favour at Carrow Road and has barely featured in recent months.

Despite that, plenty of Premier League clubs are reportedly interested in the 23-year-old midfielder.

Ahead of Norwich’s trip to West Ham on Wednesday, we consider what is next for Cantwell.

Uncertain future

Boss Dean Smith admitted last week he did not know what the future holds for Cantwell.

He was available for the FA Cup win at Charlton yesterday but did not feature.

Speaking before the tie, which the visitors edged 1-0, Smith said: "I know there is an awful lot of speculation about Todd at the moment and there always is about good players. 

"He is in contention to play on Sunday but I don't deal with the speculation, so I don't know is the honest answer.

"Hopefully he will be here still and playing well, because that is what we want from him. We know what we can do at this level and are working hard to get him back to that."

Smith added: "It has been frustrating but I think it's been frustrating for him as well.

"He wasn't up to speed in the first couple of games we played [since Smith's appointment] but he is certainly getting there.

"He is working hard in training, we have had no problems with him in terms of attitude and application at all.

"It is about building his confidence up as well, which had taken a bit of a hit, but there is certainly a talented footballer there."

Limited minutes

Cantwell seemed to have fallen out with former boss Daniel Farke and has yet to really impress Smith.

Norwich are struggling and in desperate need of results but have not turned to a player tipped for an England call-up barely two years ago.

He started the first game of Smith’s reign against Southampton but was hooked at half-time. 

His only appearances since then have been a cameo versus Manchester United and a 61-minute display in the defeat to Aston Villa.

Desire to leave

There is also a slightly fractured relationship with the Carrow Road faithful, despite the fact he is a homegrown talent.

After his first year in the Premier League, Cantwell was tipped to leave and Farke left him out of a squad when speculation was rife.

And when Emiliano Buendia got his big-money move to Aston Villa last summer, Cantwell perhaps expected to follow suit.

That has not happened and there appears to be an uneasy atmosphere surrounding him. 

Past glories

Cantwell’s displays in the early part of the 2019-20 season are why the likes of Leicester, Newcastle and others remain interested.

He set up two goals against the Magpies for Norwich’s first win of that campaign and was instrumental in the famous 3-2 win over Manchester City.

The fact he scored six goals, with three of them against City, Chelsea and Arsenal, had pundits purring.

A tricky customer who loves taking on players, the then 21-year-old looked at home in the Premier League.

Given he had only featured 24 times in the previous Championship-winning campaign and was a bit-part player, it was quite a rise for the long-haired Canary. 

And he was a key man last term as Norwich won promotion straight back to the top flight, scoring six goals and setting up a further seven.

Destination

So where might he end up? Tottenham and Liverpool have both been linked but would appear a big step for a player with just 45 top-flight games under his belt.

Leicester are certainly a more attractive option than Newcastle or Leeds given their league positions.

But if James Maddison stays at the King Power Stadium, Cantwell may struggle to force his way into the side.

Both the Magpies and the Whites could end up in the Championship next season and that may put off the former England Under-21s international. 

With a £20million price tag on his head, the Dereham-born star may need to force his way back into Norwich’s plans to show he is worthy of a move.