Premier League new boys Norwich City are considering whether to up their bid for striker Benik Afobe, after having a £10m offer turned down by Championship side Wolves.

Afobe signed for Wolves in January from Arsenal for around £2m, and scored 13 goals in 21 appearances as they narrowly missed out on the Championship play-off spots in their first season back in the second tier.

Wolves are reluctant to lose their star man

After losing star winger Bakary Sako on a free transfer to Crystal Palace, manager Kenny Jackett and the club are understandably keen on not letting another of their prized assets go on the cheap, reportedly slapping a £14m tag on the former MK Dons man.

But Norwich have been persistent in their chase for Afobe’s signature, having had already two bids turned down before their third offer which breached eight figures.

And now the Canaries hierarchy, according to the Shropshire Star, are debating whether to meet the Championship club’s demands and reach £14m.

Their caution is understandable, as they may not feel that figure is sensible on a striker who, although prolific in the second tier, has not played in the Premier League on a regular basis.

Wolves demanding that figure is understandable too, as they feel that Afobe’s goals give them a far better chance of promotion and the Premier League riches that come with it, rather than sell him and stay in the second tier.

Afobe in, Grabban out?

However, a sum as high as £14m would give Kenny Jackett an extraordinarily large kitty for the Championship, and may mean they could afford several signings to push for promotion even without Afobe.

Considering they bought him for £2m in the last window, it would also give them a substantial profit of £12m should Norwich bow to their demands.

Norwich could raise funds by selling their wantaway striker Lewis Grabban, who is wanted by fellow promoted side Bournemouth.

Grabban was actually bought from the Cherries last summer for around £3m, but wants to return to the South Coast after being frozen out at Carrow Road, recently going AWOL and storming out after being named as a substitute in their Capital One Cup game last Tuesday.

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