Atalanta and Galatasaray have joined several clubs in the race to sign Norwich City star Gabriel Sara, according to reports in Italy. 

Interest in the Brazilian midfielder is expected to hot up in the coming weeks and the print edition of Italian newspaper Corrielle dello Sport have listed that Atalanta are ready to turn their attentions to the Canaries man if they cannot strike a deal with Celtic for Matt O’Riley. 

The report adds that Turkish giants Galatasaray are long-term admirers of the 25-year-old, with English interest also from Crystal Palace, Leicester City and City’s Championship rivals Leeds. 

Norwich are expected to sell at least one of their stars this summer - with interest having been expressed in Sara, Jon Rowe and striker Josh Sargent. 

Sara was one of City’s standouts last season, producing performances that helped push David Wagner’s side into the play-offs before a two legged defeat to Leeds. 

He is one of the players that Norwich are expecting interest to emerge in this summer. Roma have already been linked with his services, but there was not any club to club contact. 

Johannes Hoff Thorup has heavily utilised Sara in City’s Championship preparations so far, and was full of praise for him after their friendly opener against Northampton. 

“Gabby’s a fantastic player, but first of all, we have to talk about his professionalism, because every day when he comes in it is full focus on what he can do and what you have to do,” said the Dane. “Even though we started July 1 with testing, he was in the week before that, just to prepare and do even more.

Gabriel Sara is expected to be in demand this summer.Gabriel Sara is expected to be in demand this summer. (Image: Martyn Haworth/Focus Images Ltd)

"So he's definitely professional with a capital P. He's amazing in everything he does and that's also what we can see on the pitch whenever he performs - he has a full focus on what he can affect.

"All the other things outside the pitch with rumours and other clubs linked I think he will leave that to the side.

“If I remember rightly it was him with the assist for the second goal, putting the ball in for Johnny Rowe. I've been speaking to him and he's very clear in his mindset about what he will do here. His only focus is to make sure that he's in the best possible shape.

"We’ll leave transfer rumours and stuff like that for someone else. That's not for me, that's not for Gabby, we just continue improving and I think it was obvious in the game what he can offer.”