Toronto FC is looking to make another splash in the transfer market.
TFC submitted an official bid to sign U.S. international forward Josh Sargent from Norwich City FC, Fabrizio Romano reported on Sunday.
The move would include an $18 million fee, with negotiations now underway as the two clubs work through the finer details of the transfer.
Norwich head coach Philippe Clement said Sargent refused to play in Sunday's FA Cup match against Walsall but insisted that the forward would not be leaving in the January transfer window.
“Josh sent me a message (on Saturday) evening saying he would not be available because of transfer things in his head,” Clement said after Norwich's 5-1 rout of Walsall. “This is obviously not something we want, and will have consequences. It is something we need to speak about inside the club, but the club has made it really clear to Josh and his agent that he will not be leaving during this transfer window.”
Signing with Germany's Werder Bremen on his 18th birthday, Sargent scored 11 goals in 83 games across all competitions. He made history in his senior debut against Fortuna Düsseldorf, scoring with his first touch to record the fastest goal by a debutant in the club’s history.
He joined Norwich on Aug. 9, 2021, on a four-year contract and has gone on to score 56 goals for the Canaries in 157 games.
On the international front, he became the youngest player to score for the U.S. at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup at the age of 17 in May 2017. Also in 2017, he became the first U.S. player to participate at the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups and be called up to the senior team in the same calendar year.
That same year he was named U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year. Sargent has won 29 caps for the U.S. senior side with five goals and one assist.
TFC is seeking a striker capable of leading the line physically, pressing defenders, and finishing consistently. Sargent fits that profile, bringing Championship-tested durability and international experience at an age where his best years are still ahead.
--with files from The Associated Press
