Canaries face striker frustration

Norwich are losing out to Blackburn Rovers in the race to sign Newcastle striker Leon Best in the summer transfer window.

It was reported earlier in the week that the 25-year-old, who new Canaries chief Chris Hughton signed for the Magpies from Coventry in February 2010, was being targeted by Norwich in addition to Blackburn and Premier League new boys Southampton. While it seemed Hughton would be the favourite to sign Best, who is entering the final year of his contract at the Sports Direct Arena, given their history, it now looks like Blackburn have stolen a march on them. Rovers don't have top-flight football to offer Best, but they have already made a statement of intent to make an immediate return to the Premier League by luring Danny Murphy to Ewood Park this week. Rovers' boss Steve Kean also knows Best from their days at Coventry, when the Scot was assistant to then manager Chris Coleman, and would be confident of getting the Republic of Ireland international to drop down a division. Reports claim Best's representatives held talks with Rovers officials on Wednesday and are looking to finalise a £3million deal for the player, who has dropped behind Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse in Magpies boss Alan Pardew's pecking order. If Best joins Rovers it will free up current striker Yakubu to make his anticipated £1million move to Chinese side Guangzhou R&F, while Junior Hoilett is also set to leave the Lancashire outfit this summer.