Norwich City will not wait for Danish defender Martin Frese as they step up their hunt for a new left back.
The Canaries have made sourcing a replacement for the departed Dimi Giannoulis and Sam McCallum a top transfer priority this summer.
City have been strongly linked to the 26-year-old free agent, along with speculation in the Brazilian media of a loan enquiry for Palmeiras’ Vanderlan, but are believed to be actively working on securing a different full back target.
Frese remains on the Canaries’ list, in what would be a potential Norwich reunion with his former FC Nordsjælland boss, Johannes Hoff Thorup, but also has reported interest from Legia Warsaw, Parma and clubs in Japan.
Danish media outlet, Tipsbladet, claim the defender and his advisors are prepared to bide their time in the coming weeks to decide his next career move.
Norwich have so far added Panamanian centre back Jose Cordoba in the early weeks of the close season window, plus tied down academy striker Ken Aboh to a longer term deal, and a full back is now the main focus of their incoming transfer strategy in the countdown to the Championship kick-off.
Thorup plans to run the rule over his current roster in pre-season, with development squad attacking left back Guilherme Montóia set for game time in the upcoming friendlies.
The Dane did previously indicate he would be happy if Frese opted for a move to England, but made it clear shortly after taking over at Carrow Road he was staying out of any potential negotiations.
“I have not had any conversations with Frese about this,” he told Danish football portal, Bold. “He is a skilled full-back and a skilled player, so I will be happy if he chooses Norwich, but I will also be happy on his behalf if he chooses something else, because to that extent he has deserved it.
“Frese is talented, but when I heard that he could be interesting for Norwich, I hurried to stay out of it.”
Giannoulis and McCallum played 45 of the club’s 46 regular Championship games last season, but departed along with experienced centre back Ben Gibson at the end of their existing deals.
McCallum has been tipped to stay in the Championship, with Stoke and Sheffield United linked, while Greek international Giannoulis reportedly has offers on the table from at home, and Germany.
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