Norwich City manager Chris Hughton says there has been no bid for Republic of Ireland international Anthony Pilkington. It was reported at the weekend that Pilkington was the subject of a €3.5 million offer from Swansea City but the Canaries manager dismissed that today, as well as talk of a move to the Welsh club for England Under-21 international Nathan Redmond.
Robert Snodgrass was said to be on Celtic’s radar, while wantaway Ireland midfielder Wes Hoolahan, who is seeking to be reunited with his former manager Paul Lambert at Aston Villa, had a transfer request turned down and out-of-favour striker Luciano Becchio has been linked with a loan switch to Sheffield Wednesday.
“At this time, any potential rumours for our players is a testament to what we are trying to do here,” said Hughton yesterday. “It is not generally particularly welcome, of course, but if there are rumours, then we must be doing something right. However, there is no fact in any bid for Anthony from Swansea, while Nathan is very happy here.
“He is one who has had a lot of involvement here. Nathan is a very well-grounded young man who is improving his game week in, week out. He is a very mature young man and we are delighted to have him here and he wants to develop and improve here.”
Hughton does admit he is looking to bring players in over the closing days of the transfer window, but will not be drawn on any specific targets.
Norwich take on Hughton’s former club Newcastle at Carrow Road on tonightlooking to put further distance between themselves and the Premier League’s bottom three having moved up to 12th place with the 1-0 win over Hull last time out.
Hughton has recruited Jonas Gutierrez on loan from the Magpies, although the midfielder is ineligible to face his parent club, and reports suggested the Canaries were looking to add Blackburn centre-back Scott Dann as well as Newcastle’s Steven Taylor and Lazio’s Michael Ciani.
The Norwich manager, however, refused to fuel the speculation. “We are at the stage now where I am sure you are going to tell me quite a few names,” he said. “What we have done is to try to make ourselves as active and busy as possible, and amongst that there will always be names which are bounded about.
“The large majority we always find have no substance and some will be because of agents asking questions or names that have been put to us. We can only do what is best to do, and that is to let you know when anything is fact.”
