Max Aarons is ready for the next step in his career as he prepares to move on from Norwich City this summer. 

After five years and over 200 games, City sporting director Stuart Webber believes the club have taken the 23-year-old's development at Carrow Road as far as they can. 

Aarons agrees with that sentiment and is preparing himself for a fresh challenge away from Norwich next season.

“Stuart communicated those thoughts with me and my family and we share the exact same view,” Aarons told The Athletic.

“I do feel it’s the right time for me now to pursue that next chapter. I’m highly ambitious as a player to go play at the highest level. I’ve got aspirations of playing for the England senior team and in the Premier League and I do need to take that next step to be able to do that.”

Speculation has been a persistent feature throughout his time at Norwich.

Barcelona failed with a loan to buy offer. Roma saw a bid rejected. Some wonder what may have transpired had Carlo Ancelotti remained at Everton.

Despite the constant question mark surrounding his future, Aarons has never let his focus drift and remained professional throughout. 

“There’s obviously been real situations that have happened in the transfer window over the course of the five years," he said. "But with me being so young and near enough playing every game of every season I’ve been at Norwich, that’s a massive thing for me; how often and how regularly I’m going to play.

The Pink Un: Max Aarons has made over 200 appearances in five years at Norwich City. Max Aarons has made over 200 appearances in five years at Norwich City. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

“Norwich were always clear with me on the fact they had a number they would sell me for and if that’s not met then we’ll continue our journey until the right time comes. And that’s how we’ve both viewed it.

“I think we understand that time has been getting closer to the point where we feel I need to kick on and I can’t really do that and develop — even with more games — where I’m at. The club and I both recognise that it’s the right time now. We always said along the journey that there will come a time where we both feel like it’s the right time to make that step and for sure, we do.

“But over the course of the last five years, when things haven’t happened, there’s never been an ounce of disappointment because I know it’s such a great club that I’m at and such a great development path for me.”