Norwich City is closing in on an £8.5 million striker.

The Pink Un reports that Norwich City is close to signing Ante Crnac, a Croatian striker from Rakow Częstochowa.

The Canaries have money to spend after selling Adam Idah to Celtic, and the 20-year-old is one of their top targets. With four summer signings already in place, the report claims that ‘hope is growing’; the Croatian Under 21 international could be the fifth.

It is also reported that he will be around ‘the same numbers’ as Idah, who cost Celtic £8.5 million and is ranked joint-fourth in the club’s record signings chart alongside Ricky van Wolfwinkel and Steven Naismith.

Crnac has represented his country at all levels, from Under 14 to Under 21, and came up through the youth ranks at Dinamo Zagreb, where he joined at the age of ten. He appeared 18 times for their B team, scoring twice, before joining top-tier club Slaven Belupo in January 2022.

After three seasons with The Pharmacists scoring 11 goals in 56 games, he signed a five-year contract with Polish champions Raków Częstochowa. He’s been there for just under a year, scoring eight goals in 35 games and appearing six times in the Champions League.

However, The Medallions had a disappointing season, finishing seventh in the Ekstraklasa, and they are now willing to sell the striker for a large sum and reinvest, hoping to repeat their success from a year ago.

The move follows the Canaries’ failed attempt to sign Rennes striker Bertug Yildirim. The Turkish international was set to move to Carrow Road, but a problem with his knee was discovered during the medical, and the club decided not to pursue the transfer.

Writer’s perspective

Norwich is taking on a significant risk with this transfer. £8.5 million is a lot of money to spend, but it’s likely to be the fee if the report is correct. Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who signed for a similar fee, scored once in 25 Premier League appearances before joining Vitesse, demonstrating how risky paying a high price for a continental striker can be.

However, Norwich’s failed attempt to acquire Yildirim demonstrates their diligence in their current business. The striker did not fail the medical, but the transfer was cancelled based on the results of the medical, demonstrating their unwillingness to take risks. Johannes Hoff Thorup is eager to return the Norfolk club to the top flight and would not be willing to risk £8.5 million of the club’s money unless he, and they, were confident that there was value there.

The youngster will hope to impress more than Norwich’s first Croatian signing. In 1980, Dražen Mužinić, a Yugoslav from Split, Croatia, joined the club. He appeared 30 times over two seasons, but struggled with form. The incident prompted striker Justin Fashunu to say, “I don’t think we got Mužinić; I reckon they sent his milkman.”

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