- Sargent acknowledges several clubs were interested
- Forward happy to stay at Norwich
- Admits his goal drought with USMNT in his thoughts
U.S. international Josh Sargent was linked with several clubs this summer, but when the transfer deadline closed on Monday, he remained at Norwich in the English Campeonato. Sunderland were among the reported suitors, though the most concrete interest came from Wolfsburgo, whose bid was reportedly accepted by the Canaries earlier in the window – only for Sargent to turn down the move.
“Yeah, there [were] quite a few things going on. A lot of decisions had to be made, not just for myself, but for my family overall,” he told reporters at USMNT camp on Tuesday.
Pressed about Sunderland and Wolfsburg, he added, “There was interest from multiple clubs. Obviously, in the end, it didn’t work out, but that’s football sometimes.”
If there has been one benefit of Sargent’s decision to stay, it’s been his form. The U.S. striker has been on a tear since the start of the Championship season, scoring five goals in four league matches. He also scored in Norwich’s Copa Carabao opener. Sargent stressed he was happy to stay at Norwich.
“I’m at a place where I know I can score goals, which, of course, is important, you know, going into the Copa del Mundo,” he said. “And yeah, I’ve had a good start to the season, so hopefully I can continue that form all throughout the season and keep scoring goals.”
Sargent also discussed his health this season. Injuries have caused some setbacks for the forward over the years. He was left off the USMNT’s Gold Cup squad, with manager Mauricio Pochettino calling it a “football decision.” Sargent said he saw it as an opportunity to focus on rest and ensure that he kicked off his club season in the right way.
“I got the email that I wasn’t going into camp. Didn’t really hear any word from the coaching staff, but at the same time, I know, you know they don’t have to call me. I understand,” he said. “And [I] kind of just took it as [an opportunity to] rest up during the off-season, and kind of hit the ground running with Norwich to make sure that I’m back into the next camp.
“I think I’ve done a very good job of that at the club level, and I think that’s why I’m here. And again, hopefully I can keep performing and do that here as well.”
Sargent hasn’t scored for the U.S. since 2019, a goal drought the forward acknowledged he’s aware of.
“I’d probably be lying if I said I didn’t think about it,” he said. “Of course, I know it’s been a while. I’m doing so well at the club level at the moment, I just keep reminding myself how well I’m doing there. I know I can score goals, and I know it’s a matter of time that I’m going to score for the nacional team, so just going to put my head down and keep working hard. And you know, I know the goals will come.”
Fellow St. Louis native and teammate Tim Ream is confident Sargent will get back to his best.
“I’ve known that the guy can score both since he was 15-16 years old, and following his path and his career so far. And, yeah, it’s not something that we’re worried about,” Ream said. “You look at what he’s doing at Norwich and at [the] club [level], and the types of goals that he scored and is there, they’re all different.
“So full confidence in him. And it’s just like he said, it’s a matter of putting his head down and continuing to work and doing the things that he’s good at, and the goals will definitely come.”
Sargent last scored for the USMNT in November 2019 in a 4-0 win over Cuba. He has five goals in 28 appearances.
The U.S. are back in action Saturday when they host Corea del Sur at Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey. They will then travel to Columbus, Ohio, where they’ll face Japón on Sept. 9.
