Sao Paulo coach Rogerio Ceni admits he’s disappointed to see Gabriel Sara leave for England as Norwich City and West Brom hold talks with the £9 million midfielder, speaking to eSporte.
Well, this is a deal that came right out of the blue.
After losing Marquinhos to Arsenal earlier on in the summer, another Sao Paulo academy graduate is backing his bags and chartering a flight across the Atlantic.
The Brazilian giants have accepted a £9 million bid from Norwich (Globo Esporte). It is not certain whether Sara will move to Carrow Road permanently, or on an initial loan deal with a purchase clause included in his contract.
Championship rivals West Brom have also held talks. And while stopping short of confirming Sara’s destination, Ceni did admit that the playmaker has one foot and four toes out the door.
Norwich City and West Brom want £9m Gabriel Sara
“We are very sorry for the loss of Sara,” admits legendary goalkeeper-turned-head coach Ceni. “But we are able to make up for his departure. What you can’t lose are two, three players in the same position.
“We had already said that a sale could happen. For now, everything is on schedule.
“I’m sorry for his departure. But, if he goes to English football, I think it’s positive. We are happy when a player leaves for a new life opportunity. Playing in English football, if the transfer actually takes place, is a very big learning experience.
“It’s always special for a player.”
While there are question marks about the structure of the deal, there is also an element of uncertainty about when Sara would officially become a Norwich or West Brom player.
Brazilian reporter Jorge Nicola suggested that the technically-gifted, left-footed 23-year-old playmaker may stay in Brazil until January. He is currently recovering from an ankle ligament injury that has kept him out of action until April.
But Sara, whichever club he ends up at, looks certain to be one of the Championship’s most exciting – and expensive – additions this summer. Blessed with a gorgeous left foot and an eye for goal (he scored 10 in the 2021 Brazilian Serie A season alone), it’s not often a player of Sara’s talent and technical ability lands in England’s second tier.
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