Norwich transfers: Canaries set to complete Steven Naismith swoop?

Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | December 29, 2015

Norwich City are to sign Everton and Scotland forward Steven Naismith for a reported £8m when the winter window opens in January.

Persistence pays off

The Canaries, with whom Coral have a betting partnership, tried to capture former Rangers attacker Naismith, 29, this past summer but saw their overtures knocked back. Returning with a bid £1m higher than the £7m offered in August looks to have got Alex Neil his man.

Having started just four Premier League games this season, however, Naismith appears to be leaving Goodison Park in search of first-team football. His qualities were underlined by a memorable hat-trick against Chelsea off the Toffees bench back in September.

Naismith also impressed during Scotland’s Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, which ultimately proved fruitless in a tough group which also contained tournament finalists Germany, Poland and the Republic of Ireland.

Summer swoops leave Naismith on fringes

Everton’s re-signing of manager Roberto Martinez’s fellow Spaniard Gerard Deulofeu has resulted in limited chances to start for Naismith, as well as Belgium international Kevin Mirallas. Aston Villa had also been linked with a January move for Naismith.