Longtime Norwich City defender Rob Newman said Josh Sargent has gone from ‘hero to zero’ after his refusal to play in an FA Cup match against Walsall on Sunday, Jan. 11.
After Norwich won the game 5-1, head coach Philippe Clement said the American forward requested to sit out due to his desire to leave the club.
‘Josh sent me a message (Saturday) evening saying he would not be available because of transfer things in his head,’ Clement said.
The Athletic reported that Toronto FC has bid $18 million to land Sargent, who is pushing for the move to MLS.
But according to Clement, the Canaries have no intention of letting their star forward leave in January.
‘This is obviously not something we want and will have consequences,’ Clement said. ‘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.’
Sargent has scored double-digit league goals in the past three seasons, netting 56 times overall for the club since joining in 2021.
This season, the 25-year-old has scored seven times in the Championship.
Though Sargent has endeared himself to fans with his prolific form and his loyalty, rejecting a move to German side Wolfsburg over the summer, Newman said the forward is in danger of throwing away all of his goodwill.
‘You don’t do that, no matter how good a player you are, what an icon, a legend you are, you just don’t do that.
‘I’ve never met Josh Sargent, but anyone who has spoken to him says he’s the nicest guy in the world, so someone somewhere is advising him – and that is the worst piece of advice he will have received in his professional career.’