Despite missing out on the play-offs, Norwich City manager Philippe Clement remains optimistic that the Canaries can challenge for promotion next season.

When he took over from Liam Manning last November, the Belgian manager drastically altered the Norfolk club’s fortunes, steering them well clear of relegation while also threatening a late top six drive.

Unfortunately, it never occurred, with the Canaries leaving it too late, but such an increase in performance levels and quality on the pitch has given the club renewed confidence that they can compete with the division’s finest teams.

Of course, Norwich’s recruitment this summer will be critical to Clement’s success in getting the club back into promotion contention, with the 52-year-old needing to be surrounded by players who can take the rough and tumble of Championship football.

Now that the regular second-tier season is complete, several clubs will be planning their strategy for the forthcoming summer transfer window.

And Norwich manager Clement has revealed their transfer objectives, but admits that a crucial impending football event in the calendar may jeopardize some of their immediate goals.

Philippe Clement discusses Norwich City transfer plans, but makes World Cup admission.

According to the Pink Un, Norwich City manager Philippe Clement has indicated that he wants the Canaries to be quick to sign their summer objectives, but has confessed that the forthcoming World Cup may make it harder for them to do so.

Clement stated, “We want to complete our business as quickly as possible.

“The World Cup is definitely a part in the market, because you have players going to the World Cup who don’t want to sign anywhere else because they know that if they score two or three goals there, their status would change completely, or their agency is probably telling them that.

“You have teams that have a lot of players going to the World Cup who will keep other players longer in the building, even if they don’t want to continue with them during the next season, to have a good pre-season, to train with enough people, and to have friendly games with enough players, so that also prevents getting them earlier.” “We’ll see.”

However, Clement has claimed that Norwich has a strategy in place to target players who are not at the World Cup, giving them the opportunity to complete a full pre-season.

Clement continued, “Not everyone is going to the World Cup. That’s the positive aspect. Not every team in the world has ten players at the World Cup.

“We’ll see what we can find.” Sometimes it happens quickly, sometimes later. You can never predict this. “That I learned over the years.”Sometimes you want to get someone in quickly, but you have to wait. Negotiations can take three, four, or five weeks with a specific player or team. “We do not have a crystal ball.”

Norwich City transfer business will signal a statement of purpose.

Philippe Clement is correct in demanding that the Norwich recruitment staff complete their transfer business as soon as possible, giving the squad the best opportunity to settle in and become acquainted with one another before the 2026-27 season begins.

The Canaries will have to be first in line to land some of their preferred targets on their shortlist, and if they can strike a balance between quality and Championship experience, you’d back them to finish in the new top eight next season in what promises to be another fiercely competitive second tier campaign.

Following their achievements under Clement last season, many expect Norwich to battle hard and finish near the top of the table, so the club will need to manage those expectations and perform on the pitch to keep the fans on board.

It’s going to be a difficult season for Norwich, who are hoping to end their five-year absence from the top division.