Van is £8m man for Chris Hughton: Norwich track Sporting Lisbon striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel

Chris Hughton wants a reaction from his players after the 5-0 loss to Liverpool (Getty Images)

Sporting Lisbon have confirmed they are negotiating the sale of striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel to Norwich City.

The Norwich manager, Chris Hughton, had an £8million bid for the 24-year-old Dutchman rejected in January but financial difficulties at the Portuguese club have forced their hand. The fee is nearly double what Sporting paid to buy Van Wolfswinkel from Utrecht in 2011, but they will receive only 35 per cent of the income due to a third-party arrangement.

The transfer will allow Sporting to pay some two months' worth of backdated wages to its players and coaching staff.