Carlton Palmer has expressed his amazement at the fact that Norwich City have not worked a new deal with Angus Gunn ahead of the January transfer window, with the goalkeeper’s contract scheduled to expire in the summer. The 28-year-old has been with the Canaries since the summer of 2021, and he has made over 150 appearances for the club since then, guiding them to a play-off finish last season. This campaign has not been a brilliant one for the Scotland international, and he has kept only three clean sheets in 16 appearances, and he will likely feel as though he could have done more for that total to be bigger than it presently is.
But with Norwich and Gunn obviously in a standstill over his contract, it is becoming more and more probable that he may depart Carrow Road as early as January, with Johannes Hoff Thorup displaying an interest in Norwegian shot-stopper, Egil Selvik. Palmer makes Gunn, Norwich claim amid contract situation Throup has already begun to stamp his own mark on this Norwich team, and their interest in Selvik suggests that he is even considering replacing a player who has been a regular for the club in recent years.
This update is seemingly why Gunn has not been offered a new deal as yet, and instead he will be looking for a move elsewhere. However, for player-turned-pundit Palmer, the Canaries are making a mistake, and the 28-year-old’s contract situation must be sorted quickly. Speaking exclusively to Football League World, he said: “Norwich City are looking for replacements for Angus Gunn. It’s been well documented about Gunn that negotiations have been ongoing, but he hasn’t signed a new contract. So, there is the feeling that they may lose him either in the January transfer window or at the end of the season is increasing.
“I would have thought that if he doesn’t sign a new contract, they’d try to sell him during the January transfer window.” If not, he will leave for free at the end of the season. So Norwich City are already considering their alternatives, and they are keen in bringing Norwegian goalkeeper Egil Selvik to Carrow Road. “His contract with Norwegian club FK Haugesund expires at the end of this season. He has spent the last four seasons there, and it appears that he will not sign a new deal and will be on the move. So, Norwich will attempt to sign him during the January transfer window.”
Palmer continued: “He’s been capped four times by Norway, so he’s a very experienced and capable goalkeeper at the age of 27. Norwich seems to be the likely destination for Selvik and for Johannes Hoff Thorup it eases his situation with his goalkeeper. “I can’t believe it. Gunn’s been outstanding for them, he’s been regular, and he’s been consistent, but by not sorting these contracts out early, you run the risk of this happening. Players run down their contracts, and you’ll find it difficult to agree a deal with them because other clubs will be speaking to their agents, and he’s available on a free.
“In January, they’ll be in the workplace. If he does not sign a new deal, it is likely that Norwich will sell him during the January transfer window. “I’d be very surprised that Gunn is still at the football club come January if they bring a goalkeeper in.” Gunn has done well for Norwich, but the Canaries can better on him. Norwich have struggled with consistency this season, and whenever they do appear to be on a good run, they follow it up with another dismal run.
The Canaries need to improve their defensive performance, and bringing in a new goalkeeper with more control over his backline will help them do so. Their defensive woes will cost them a play-off spot if they do not improve, and Gunn may be forced to make way in the coming weeks as Thorup attempts to make the changes required to propel his team up the table.
Selvik is a year younger than Gunn, and with the possibility of bringing him in for free, it will not come at a great cost for the club financially, and he could inspire Norwich’s push towards the top six in 2025.
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