Ipswich Town look set to complete the controversial transfer of Norwich City midfielder Marcelino Nunez, according to Suffolk News.
The move will be the first time in almost 25 years that a player has moved directly from one of these great rivals to the other.
Deal Almost Done
It is being reported that Nunez has travelled to Suffolk to complete a deal that is thought to be worth an initial £7.5 million with £2.5 million in future add ons.
Nunez is a 31-cap Chilean international who joined the Canaries from Universidad Catolica in his homeland for a fee around £4 million in 2020, and has 12 months left on his deal at Carrow Road. The 25-year-old is believed to have turned down two contract offers from Norwich and now looks set to join their bitter rivals.
Since arriving at Carrow Road, the Chilean has represented the Canaries 119 times, scoring 12 goals and providing ten assists. He has been unavailable for selection since having to be replaced in his side’s 2-1 win over Portsmouth on August 16th.
Ipswich Hunt Further Midfield Additions
Following their relegation from the Premier League, Ipswich Town have made a poor start to life back in the Championship and have been busy adding midfield options following the losses of Omari Hutchinson, Sam Morsy, and the on-loan Kalvin Phillips.
Azor Matusiwa, Jens-Lys Cajuste, and Kasey McAteer have already arrived this summer to join the likes of Jack Taylor to compete for a midfield spot.
Nunez was impressive last season in a disappointing campaign for the Canaries, contributing ten goal involvements in 32 Championship outings, and started this campaign brightly before injury.
Controversial Move
Only 13 players have played for both Ipswich Town and Norwich City, with fewer than a handful transferring directly between the two. Clive Woods left Ipswich for Norwich in 1980, Trevor Putney made the same move in 1986, swapping with John Deehan, who moved in the opposite direction that same year.
Goalkeeper Andy Marshall was the last player to cross the divide when he left Norwich for the Premier League and Ipswich Town in 2001. The shot stopper was never truly accepted by those at Portman Road and had angered the City fans with his move.
Should Nunez make the move, the date of April 11th will be highlighted in his diary, as that is the day he will make his return to Carrow Road with the Tractor Boys.
Writer’s View
This is a move sure to anger Norwich City fans, not only losing one of their star performers but also to their bitter rivals. If it wasn’t Ipswich Town, a £10 million deal for a player with one year left on his contract and who is refusing to sign another one is not bad business by the football club.
