This was conveyed by the President of the Norwegian Football Association (NFF) Lise Klaveness via a short message to NTB. There, it was emphasized that he and the national team manager Ståle Solbakken often talk together about important and difficult matters. This also applies to the situation around Normann.

– We are now waiting for Normann’s final options and possible signing for the new Russian club. He will have to defend his own choices, but as mentioned earlier, we will assess whether he can be selected for Norway if he chooses a new Russian club. The conclusion of this assessment will be presented by Ståle during a press conference next week when the withdrawal is announced, Klaveness wrote.

The upcoming draw for the next two matches in the national league will be made next Monday.

Norway will first face Slovenia away, while Serbia wait at the Ullevaal stadium a few days later.

It was TV 2 who reported on Saturday that Normann was on his way to Russia to complete a transfer from Rostov to the Moscow-based club.

Controversial

Normann told the TV channel that he had finally continued his career in Russia despite the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine.

– It’s quite simple. To this day, this is the best sporting opportunity I have had. Then we ended up with it, Normann told TV 2.

In a comment to VG, national team manager Ståle Solbakken stated that the election was moot.

– There is no doubt that this is controversial in the times we live in. Then there are no limits or resolutions aimed at individual athletes either, says Solbakken.

Not playing

Normann was selected for the national team meeting in June, but did not play. Last season he was on loan at Norwich, and his stay there was not extended after being relegated from the Premier League.

Last month, Lecce reported that Normann was ready for the Italian Serie A club. That same evening, a counter notification came that the parties had agreed to cancel the transfer.

Normann has been under contract with Russia’s Rostov since January 2019.