Norwich City have turned down a bid for Grant Holt made by Melbourne Heart, the Australian A-League club, due to the offer failing to meet their valuation of the striker, which is around £2m.
As A-League clubs pay lucrative wages but rarely invest any of their budget on sizeable transfer fees, Heart's bid for Holt will have been for a nominal amount.
When Alessandro Del Piero moved to Sydney FC from Juventus last September he arrived on a two-year deal for a reported $2m (£1.3m) a season salary. But, significantly, he cost Sydney nothing as Del Piero was out of contract so the Italian was acquired as a free agent.
While it is thought that Holt would be open to a move to Australia, the transfer appears unlikely unless Heart return with a higher bid. Although Norwich are not actively seeking to sell Holt they would listen to a serious offer for a player who has two years left on a contract that earns him around £30,000 a week.
The 32-year-old is currently under consideration from Hull City and Sunderland. Aston Villa, who are looking to sell Darren Bent and who are led by Holt's former manager Paul Lambert, are another potential suitor. While Holt's record in the lower leagues will also make him attractive to Championship teams intent on promotion next season, the player's future may not be settled until nearer the close of the summer transfer window. This is because clubs try to save money by starting new player contracts as late as possible before the new season.
Having been in contention for England's Euro 2012 squad, Holt scored only eight times in 32 appearances for Norwich last season, with the forward not always suited to the 4-5-1 system favoured by the manager, Chris Hughton. Last season Holt moved his family back to his native Cumbria and though he remains club captain he is conscious that the impending arrival of the Dutch forward Ricky van Wolfswinkel from Sporting Lisbon for £8.5m has put his starting place under threat.
Regarding his future, earlier this month Holt said: "There will always be rumours. People talk about my family moving back north. It was a decision which was made between me and my wife. I have always said the family comes first and I do not want to take my kids all over the country and they are at an age where they are starting school. That has nothing to do with my football career. Only the manager and the people upstairs will know whether they want me to be here next year. I have got my contract and we will see from there."
Holt's team-mate Sébastien Bassong, the club's player of the season, has apologised for being photographed holding a replica handgun. Norwich stated that the matter is now closed.
