Norwich City Transfers: Rounding Up the Canaries' Hottest Rumours

Now that the 2012-13 Premier League season is done and dusted, silly season can begin anew.

When viewing transfer rumors, it is important to remember that the vast majority of what is reported by various media outlets turns out to be false or greatly over-exaggerated. Thus, one must carefully consider every bit of transfer news that rolls in.

There are still just enough rumors that end up materializing that it is extremely difficult to look away for too long. In the spirit of guilty curiosity and vain hope, let us take a look at several of the most prominent transfer rumors that have been swirling around Norwich City recently.

If this report from Sky Sports is to be believed, Norwich's bruising captain Grant Holt will have to reconcile himself with the fact that winter will come in July.

Indeed, he is rumored to be headed to Australia, as Melbourne Heart have been looking to snap him up since January. Heart's CEO even expressed his interest in Holt on the record.

With the impending arrival of the fabulously named Ricky van Wolfswinkel at Carrow Road, the striking situation is about to get a bit convoluted. Perhaps Chris Hughton wishes to move in a more technical and less brutal direction up front.

Bradley Johnson has been an integral part of Chris Hughton's midfield, and Norwich are looking to make sure that he goes absolutely nowhere this summer.

The Canaries' chief executive made it perfectly clear that Johnson is staying at Carrow Road, and strongly denied reports that a fee has already been agreed with Premier League rivals Swansea City.

Via the Eastern Daily Press, David McNally said: "We are not in discussions with any club about the sale/potential sale of any first-team player."

As any Arsenal fan can attest, keeping the most consistent players at a club for prolonged periods of time help the team to develop and cohere. Thus, it is crucial that Norwich hold on to Johnson this summer.

This one is from a little while back, but there seems to be evidence to suggest that Chris Hughton is planning to snatch one of the most promising young players from his former club Birmingham City.

According to a report in the Mirror, Hughton sent three scouts to watch the exciting 19-year-old England youth international. All three departed upon Redmond's substitution late in the game.

This certainly makes more sense than some other transfers rumors that float about during the summer. It is not at all uncommon for a manager to raid his former club of certain quality players, and Hughton's prior experience with the promising youngster would unquestionably be a significant boon to his development.

According to the Express, Norwich City placed a bid for Gary Hooper in January, but Celtic rejected the club's advances.

One glance at his statistics makes their denial an obvious move.

Though goalscoring numbers in the awfully lopsided Scottish league should be taken with several lumps of salt, 63 goals in just 95 league games is a very impressive feat.

Because Hooper has not come to an agreement with Celtic regarding a contract that secures his services beyond next season, various clubs in England are said to be interested in the forward.

If Hooper could be obtained on the cheap, Chris Hughton would be wise to consider making a move.