Chris Sutton: City must not sell Sargent at any price

It's been really difficult for Johannes Hoff Thorup to lose Gabriel Sara and Jonathan Rowe, plus Abu Kamara whacking in a transfer request - but the one thing they cannot afford to let happen in the final hours of the window is for Sargent to be sold. 

There comes a time when clubs have an obligation to season ticket holders and supporters; to lose Sargent, no matter how much money is put on the table, would be catastrophic for Norwich. Supporters need hope and optimism - if they lost the striker it would shatter that.  

Put simply, Norwich cannot replace him. They are going to be so reliant on his goals and ability to lead the line, it wouldn't be fair on Thorup, the fans or the squad to lose Sargent after the talent that has exited the building over the transfer window. 

There's already been a lot of turmoil - that would be compounded if he was permitted to waltz out of the door. 

Eventually, and most Norwich supporters recognise this, Sargent will depart the club. But right now does not feel like the right moment for the club. In that context, they must say 'no deal' should any potential suitors present themselves at the 11th hour of the window. 

If Norwich ended up losing Sargent, could anyone say with certainty they are guaranteed to remain in the league? It's tough to construct that argument. They would have a major fight on their hands. He really is that important. 

Given the change this summer, there is an acceptance that promotion will be difficult to achieve this season, but if the club hold any aspirations of getting into the top six then they must keep Sargent. It should be a non-negotiable heading into the final 48 hours. 

Even if Norwich are capable of getting top dollar for the American international, something Ben Knapper has proven able to achieve in other deals so far, how on earth would they replace his goals or his presence? They couldn’t. It’s impossible. 

If he was to go now the fans would be up in arms and, quite frankly, they’d have every right to be. 

Also, for Sargent, the Championship is an immensely tough division. A season of banging in the goals will only make him more attractive to Premier League clubs, if that is his ambition, next summer. 

After his injury troubles, if I was advising him, I would say remain at Norwich, bang in the goals and prove to everyone beyond any doubt that you’re worthy of taking the next step. Nobody at Carrow Road would begrudge him a move if that is how this played out from here. 

The challenge Norwich have is to prove to him they have ambitions after letting Sara and Rowe walk out the door. 

When I played for Norwich, I'd signed a new deal around Christmas of the famous Bayern Munich season after Robert Chase said to me that the club were going to keep Mike Walker and wouldn't sell the crown jewels. 

After I put pen to paper, Mike joined Everton and the club sold Ruel Fox. That made me want to leave because I didn't feel the ambition was there. So I can sympathise with how Sargent may potentially be feeling at present. 

I'm certain he would have options, but the other side of it is that players are happy to sign contracts and must adhere to them. I understood that in my situation and I'm sure Sargent does as well. He only extended his stay last summer, so it's a trade-off between club and player. 

But Norwich have to put themselves and their supporters first. Sargent doesn't seem like a bad egg and one who would down tools or agitate. Knapper and Thorup will need to be honest with him about the situation at this stage. 

In my view, Sargent is further ahead in his own development than both Sara and Rowe. He is the most rounded and feels the most Premier League-ready at this stage of his career. What went against him last season were his injury struggles. 

If you're a potential suitor who knows it will take a significant fee to prise him out of Carrow Road, then you would want a bigger sample of evidence that he can both score goals and remain fit. That is why I think it's in his own interest to stay at Norwich. 

Sargent could open more doors with another campaign of goals and positive performances. It is a mutually beneficial thing for him to remain at the club at this stage. When he departs, I believe it will be for a record fee for the club. 

It's been quite the journey for Sargent at Norwich. His development has been tremendous. 

When he arrived at the club for big money relative to City's spending, he wasn't a goalscorer. He struggled at Premier League level and was almost seen as a bit of a joke figure by supporters after missing that open goal against Brighton. 

He had to be patient behind Teemu Pukki and even plied his trade as a makeshift winger with minimal fuss. Then, when the moment came to step into that number nine role, he has puffed out his chest and performed it exceptionally well at Championship level. 

As a striker, he is pretty complete. He can threaten in behind, he's physical, he is a capable finisher, athletic and has all the attributes to play at the top level. 

I'll be honest, when he arrived at Norwich, I wasn't certain he could be what he has become. I didn't know if he had the running power or finishing ability, so it's a testament to him but also to the coaches at Norwich for extracting that out of him. 

There is still a lot of improvement for him to make, but there's enough for clubs to take a look at him. I'm sure several are watching him closely. 

But selling him for Norwich is an absolute no-no. Not at any price. There was a need to sell Sara to balance the books, but there isn't that imperative with Sargent. 

They must dig their heels in and refuse to entertain any offers. Their season depends on it.

Johannes Hoff Thorup has been dealt a tough hand at Norwich City to date. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

ON THE THOR-UP

Given the challenges that Johannes Hoff Thorup has been forced to contend with so far at Norwich City, I'm impressed with the way he has handled himself and represented the club. 

I'm sure he has been privately tearing his hair out at the turmoil he has endured to date - but his calmness and composure has been impressive. 

For the squad to have seen so much churn and drama around it, for Norwich to be showing signs of improvement is encouraging - Saturday's draw against Sheffield United offered plenty of reasons for optimism about the season ahead. 

However, there will come a stage whereby he needs to back up promising performances with results. 

There will be sympathy and understanding for supporters about the hand he has been dealt, but that will not be offered if the results strand remains as it is currently. For everyone, an opening victory of the campaign at Coventry this weekend would be enormous heading into the international break. 

It is also important for buy-in that players and supporters can see his methods yielding results. In the next couple of months, there must be evidence that the team is improving. 

Everything that has been thrown in his direction won't have been completely unforeseen and a bumpy start was probably inevitable - but the size of the potholes has been deep and tricky to navigate. 

From disciplinary issues to high-profile exits, Thorup has looked in control of the ship. That message is an important one to send out early in any head coach's reign. 

For any new manager, that first win is such a big weight off the shoulders. Players will be watching closely to see and feel his ideas bringing success. That is how buy in will be achieved over the campaign. 

It does feel like they are close - but after plenty of huffing and puffing against Blackburn and Sheffield United, they now need to get a result over the line.