USMNT stars have done well this season, sparking interest from several sides during the January window. While it is still early days in the window, one player is doing all he can to make the switch, and things are not going his way.
USMNT Star Suspended by EFL Club After Refusing To Play
Josh Sargent took matters into his own hands after learning of Toronto FC’s interest in him in the MLS. The Norwich City star wanted to ensure he did not get injured while playing in the FA Cup game against League Two side Walsall, so he dropped the manager a text.
The USMNT star refused to play, and the club’s coach, Phillipe Clement, was livid. He revealed to the media that the striker was not injured and was not part of the squad due to his decision.
The coach was adamant that he would not be sanctioning a sale this month, as he counted on Sargent for the rest of the season, but admitted that the USMNT star would face consequences for his text.
“Josh sent me a message [on Saturday] evening saying he would not be available because of transfer things in his head. This is obviously not something we want, and will have consequences.”
Norwich City have followed up on their manager’s words and handed Sargent a suspension for disciplinary reasons. Clement has confirmed in his press conference that the striker will not be included in the matchday squad against Wrexham this weekend and said:
“I’m not going into details about what this is about and what the future will be because I don’t have a crystal ball, but he knows why he is training with the second team, and we will see how it evolves in the future.”
Clement is not ruling out a sale, but has said that it would take a big fee for them to let go of the player who has scored 56 goals in 157 matches for the English side.
“In football, you can never say never. If somebody comes tomorrow to pay £100m for Josh, he will go. Saying no to everything will not be the case, but only if it’s something that’s a win situation for the club (will he leave). What’s really important in this situation is we’re in a relegation battle, so that was clear in this transfer window that we don’t have any intentions to sell Josh.”
Wrexham, the EFL Championship opponents this weekend, are also interested in signing Sargent. Premier League side Nottingham Forest is also interested in signing the striker this month.
