Norwich stand firm on Holt

Norwich chief executive David McNally insists that striker Grant Holt is not for sale despite handing in a transfer request.

The 31-year-old had had his demands for a move denied, but reiterated his desire to leave the club on Twitter on Friday.

But McNally has stood firm, saying that Holt would not be sold.

“We are delighted he has loved it here, 70 goals in three seasons, every level of football he has scored at – 17 in the league last year, our captain, our talisman and the fans hero,” he told Sky Sports News.

“He has won Player of the Year three years in a row and that has never been done at this marvellous football club and he is not for sale.”

With manager Paul Lambert having had his offer of resignation rejected by the club amid rumours of an imminent switch to Aston Villa, McNally has also alluded to Holt being potentially too expensive for the, as yet, hypothetical switch to Villa Park.

He added: “If ever, hypothetically, you were to sell someone with such a record, what is the replacement cost? It is certainly bigger than the total budget that I have seen quoted for the club Lambert is talking to – but Grant Holt is not for sale.”