There is plenty of transfer speculation going on at the moment, but Kyle Naughton is one player the vast majority of Norwich City fans would love to see back at Carrow Road next season. The Tottenham Hotspur full-back spent the season on loan at Norwich last season.
Naughton was one of the few players that was picked by Paul Lambert on a regular basis. This was partly due to the versatility he showed by being able to play on the left or right. The remarkable thing is he played to the same high level in both positions.
I think it is fairly obvious that he would have been a primary transfer target had Paul Lambert remained as Norwich manager. But with Lambert now the Aston Villa boss the situation has become more complicated.
It has now been suggested by some sections of the national media that Lambert is keen on taking Naughton to Villa. There is even the suggestion out there that Villa is currently leading the chase for the talented defender.
Now, I certainly understand the view that Aston Villa may be able to make a more sizeable offer to Spurs and offer Naughton a more lucrative weekly wage. But we don't know that for sure and not everything is about money anyway.
The player would have enjoyed his time at Carrow Road last season, will be familiar with the area, and know the players. The fact that Paul Lambert has now moved on may not be of great concern to him. After all, Paul Lambert would only have been part of the puzzle that resulted in his successful loan spell.
In addition, Lambert's backroom staff remain very much part of the picture at Carrow Road. But it may well be Hughton's relationship with the people at Tottenham Hotspur that could prove the biggest pull in the prospective transfer.
It was interesting that Hughton made a point of mentioning the relationship he had with the North London club when he arrived at Norwich. Hughton did, of course, have a 10-year spell as a coach at Spurs. This made me think that he will look to use those connections in the transfer market.
However, it is likely any transfer will have to wait until Spurs have appointed a new manager. The club recently parted ways with Harry Redknapp.
James Kent has been a Norwich City fan since the mid '90s; he is looking forward to the start of the new Premier League season, follow him on Twitter and via Facebook.
