Norwich City transfer latest on Marcelino Nunez and 'interest' in Real Betis midfielder

Norwich City are reportedly close to completing the signing of Marcelino Nunez with reports suggesting the Chilean midfielder is set to complete a medical today (Tuesday).

Nunez was first linked with a move to the Championship side last week with reports claiming the Canaries had agreed a fee with Universidad Catolica in the region of £3million. Norwich are in the market for a central midfielder following Pierre-Lees-Melou’s departure to Stade Brestois.

The Canaries had been in talks with CF Montreal for Canadian international Ismael Kone, with City said to have agreed a £5m deal, according to The Athletic. However, it is said Norwich pulled out of the deal after talks with Kone’s representatives.

That led to Norwich focusing on their attempts to sign Nunez, with Universidad boss Ariel Holan confirming the midfielder’s exit at the weekend following the sale of Diego Valencia to Italian side Salernitana. Holan told El Deportivo: “It is difficult for me to answer about Marcelino, so hopefully it is best for him.

“Absolutely. He is an excellent professional, he is a great guy and all this makes me very emotional. Just to say that footballers of the category of Valencia and Marcelino are not easy to replace. Nothing else.”

Nunez rose through the Universidad Catolica youth ranks to become a regular feature for the first-team. The 22-year-old has played 83 times for the Chilean side, bagging eleven goals and 12 assists.

Elsewhere, Spanish media have linked Norwich City with Real Betis midfielder Paul Akoukou. The 24-year-old defensive midfielder has been put on the market for a reported €7million after rejecting a new contract with Los Verdiblancos.

So far in the summer transfer window, Norwich have completed the signing of