Norwich City are keeping their cards close to the chest when it comes to what the plans are for Adam Idah come the summer transfer window. The Irishman is currently on loan from the English Championship side and has managed five goals in 10 appearances during his time in the Scottish Premiership since he arrived at the tail end of January.
The big striker had been at a bit of a career crossroads before Celtic decided to swoop and offer him the chance to re-invent himself at Celtic Park for a few months and he’s certainly given Brendan Rodgers and the club food for thought. He’s scored crucial goals and his rise to prominence has certainly brought he best out in our talismanic forward, Kyogo Furuhashi, who had been toiling somewhat before given a break by his manager at the turn of the year.
There’s no doubting that should an opportunity arise somewhere along the line, depending if Idah can keep up his exploits in front of goal and overall contribution to the cause, the club could look to bring the Republic of Ireland international in on a full-time basis come the end of business this season. Of course, that depends on a number of factors that are outwith Celtic’s control; do Norwich wish to sell him and secondly, just how much would they require to release the Cork native from his contract at Carrow Road?
Well, Mark Hendry of Football Scotland, who has a decent record of providing updates when it comes to the machinations at Celtic Park with regard transfers, has revealed that it’s all up in the air at the minute for Idah. The journalist has provided an update but maintained that Norwich are giving very little away when it comes to their ideas for the powerful attacker.
On the curious case of Idah, Hendry wrote the following:
“Celtic will have to wait until the end of the season to discover Norwich City’s stance on striker Adam Idah.
“The Hoops took the Irishman on loan from the Canaries in January and the hitman has settled well in Glasgow with five goals in all competitions from 10 appearances. Fans of the club were hesitant about the signing but have taken to the 23-year-old with some big strikes already and that has led to calls to sign the player on a permanent deal.
We know that no future fee had been agreed between the two clubs and now Hendry reveals that Norwich are waiting to see how their own loan swoop fares between now and the summer.
He states that Sydney van Hooijdonk was brought to Carrow Road from Bologna on loan and the Championship side are not yet willing to commit on selling Idah until the Dutchman proves his worth.
Van Hooijdonk is yet to hit the net for his club since arriving on loan and he’s only provided one assist in his 11 outings.
Norwich are also waiting to see where they’ll be playing their football next season as they remain in the hunt for playoff promotion to the Premier League while sitting sixth in the second tier with eight fixtures to go. There could be a number of moving parts between now and the summer window and that leaves Celtic playing a waiting game should Brendan Rodgers look to make the move full-time.
So it’s all shrouded in doubt as it stands as to where Adam Idah will be playing his football next season. There’s no denying that Celtic – regardless of the outcome of the title this year – will be undertaking a significant rebuild during this summer transfer window, with striker one of the main positions needing filled. It’s obvious that Brendan Rodgers doesn’t fancy Oh Hyeon-gyu and he could depart Parkhead, meaning the potential for two strikers to come into the club.
Although many may not feel that Idah has what it takes to lift us to that next level and become competitive on the European scene, he’s proven he can deputise when our main man need a a breather which has been crucial to getting us on stable footing in the Scottish Premiership once again after a challenging few months. Depending on the price of course, Idah could be that third choice striker that comes in with little fuss and scores goals and puts himself about when needed.
For now though, he needs to help fire us to another Scottish Premiership triumph!
Paul Gillespie
Offer them 2 million, take it or leave it he would just be a
backup for us albeit a good backup if needed