Andre Brooks, a winger from Sheffield United, became Norwich City’s most expensive signing of the summer, although there are questions over whether he was the club’s first choice target.

Norwich entered this season as one of the Championship’s promotion favourites after an excellent second half of last season under Philippe Clement, but they have yet to live up to that billing after a quieter-than-expected summer transfer window.

Andre Brooks, Norwich City transfer bombshell lowered following Sheffield United’s £8 million deal

Norwich fans may have expected a busy summer to help develop a squad capable of promotion, but they only signed five new players, including Bruno Alves, Darlin Yongwa, Sam Field, and Anthony Musaba, who joined Brooks at Carrow Road.

However, there is little doubt that Brooks was the Canaries’ star signing of the summer, with the 23-year-old joining from Sheffield United for an initial cost of £8 million, which could increase to £10 million with add-ons.

Brooks has had a good start to his Norwich career, scoring three goals and giving three assists in 13 appearances across all competitions this season, and he has started all of his team’s Championship games.

While Brooks has become an important member of the team, it appears that he was not the Canaries’ priority transfer target in the summer, according to comments made in a Daily Mail report that has shed light on the club’s disappointing start to the season.

According to the source, Norwich was initially interested in bringing in an experienced winger, but instead of chasing a more senior alternative, they decided to pay a large seven-figure amount for Brooks.

Andre Brooks situation raises Norwich City questions amid concerning Philippe Clement claims

Clement has regularly included Brooks in his starting lineup this season, but the Daily Mail’s revelation raises serious questions about whether the winger was actually on the Belgian’s radar, as well as why the club’s transfer strategy shifted so radically.

The intriguing line about Brooks is far from the only eye-opening assertion in the report; among the more damning details, it is claimed that Norwich players and staff are feeling “mentally fatigued” and have “little time” to spend with their families, while some are even said to be “struggling” to find time to get a haircut, and the intense schedule has been blamed for an increase in colds and illness around the club.

The Canaries have won only three of their first 11 league games of the season, and they were defeated 1-0 by Portsmouth at Carrow Road on Saturday, their fifth consecutive loss.

Ahead of Saturday’s trip to The Valley to face another out-of-form side in Charlton Athletic, Norwich are 21st in the Championship table, one point above the relegation zone, and after the extent of his strained relationship with his squad was revealed, another defeat would add to Clement’s mounting pressure.

Sheffield United and Chris Wilder will be annoyed by Andre Brooks, according to Norwich City.

Given the financial crisis at Bramall Lane, Sheffield United may have sold Brooks to another club this summer if he hadn’t joined Norwich to help balance the books.

However, Brooks’ departure was a significant setback for the Blades, especially given that fellow strikers Gus Hamer and Callum O’Hare also left this summer, and manager Chris Wilder will undoubtedly be upset to learn that he was not even the Canaries’ top target.

While it is still early in the season and Norwich has plenty of time to climb the table under Clement or another manager, Brooks may be reconsidering his choice to transfer to Carrow Road as the climate surrounding the club becomes sour.