Former Portsmouth target and Bolton Wanderers favourite on brink of move to Championship relegation rivals Norwich
One-time Pompey target Paris Maghoma is joining a Championship relegation rival this January, according to reports.
Pompey relegation rivals Norwich City are reportedly close to signing a player the Blues have had on their radar in previous transfer windows.
After making moves to bolster Philippe Clement’s squad with the January arrivals of winger Ali Ahmed and defender Harry Amass, the Canaries are apparently poised to add midfielder Paris Maghoma to their ranks.
According to reports, the 24-year-old is moving to Carrow Road on a permanent basis, having departed the Gtech Stadium on previous occasions on loan.
The attacking midfielder is yet to feature for Keith Andrew’s side this term, with the former England under-20 international making 10 senior appearances for the Bees following his switch from Spurs in 2020.
Maghoma’s Brentford contract still has 18 months to run and is valued at €772k by flashscore.co.uk.
He’ll bolster a Norwich side that clawed its way out of the Championship relegation zone for the first time in three months following their 5-0 victory against West Brom last Tuesday night.
Indeed, three wins from their past four league games and 14 goals in their past five games in all competitions will have lifted spirits at Carrow Road in recent weeks
However, the Canaries face a stern test of their survival credentials when they play host to league leaders Coventry tonight. Meanwhile, Clement’s side are only one spot above the 21st-placed Blues on goal difference, with John Mousinho’s side having played a game fewer as well.
If Maghoma makes his expected move to Carrow Road, he’ll be the second player who Pompey have identified as a potential signing to make the switch.
In the summer, Danish midfielder Pelle Mattsson was wanted by the Blues but he chose Norwich after a reported £3m transfer package was agreed betwwen the Canaries and his now former club Silkeborg IF.
Pompey’s previous interest in Maghoma
There’s no suggestion that Maghoma was being chased by Pompey during the current transfer window - with the Blues already bringing in Ebou Adams from Derby and identifying Sheffield Wednesday’s Svante Ingelsson as another to bolster their midfield ranks.
The Fratton Park club are also well stocked for attacking midfielders - but the Brentford man is someone they have kept an eye on in recent years.
Indeed, The News understands a 2025 winter window move for the attacking talent, who played a big part in Bolton Wanderers’ failed 2023-24 League One promotion charge, was explored.
The Blues were keen on bringing Maghoma in on loan as they looked to bolster their squad for that season’s Championship survival bid.
Conversations are believed to have taken place over the possibility of bringing in the Londoner on a temporary basis. But, at the time, despite Maghoma being on the Bees periphery, they still saw the powerful performer as part of their first-team plans.
During that standout season on loan at Bolton, a campaign that saw the Trotters beaten by Oxford United in the League One play-off final, Maghoma featured 40 times for Ian Evatt’s then side in the league.
He scored eight goals in that time and contributed five assists.
Pompey, who were beaten 2-1 by Norwich at Fratton Park in August, travel to Carrow Road on Friday, April 3.