With the hours ticking down to the end of the transfer window and only loan deals in place until the end of the season, fans were fearing that the club had settled for another season of Championship football. The capture of Robert Earnshaw, however, signals the Board's intent to make a late dash for the play-offs.
Earnshaw has agreed terms on a deal which would make him the most expensive player in the club's history. A medical and some rapid filing of paperwork in order to meet tonight's deadline are all that is needed before the £3.5million can be completed.
The 24-year-old has nine goals in his 23 appearances for Wales and is proven to score goals at Championship level and above. In his time at Cardiff City, the energetic striker scored 105 goals in just over 200 appearances, a record that prompted former Norwich boss Gary Megson to make him the Baggies' record signing 18 months ago.
Earnie, famed for his tumbling celebration after scoring, was West Brom's top scorer in the Premiership last term with 14 goals, but has found himself out of favour since the summer and made several requests for a transfer. Nevertheless, this evening's move still comes as a surprise after the deal appeared dead in the water over the weekend.
Earnshaw joins fellow deadline day arrivals Jonatan Johansson and Zesh Rehman in what seems likely to be something of a new look Norwich side for the televised derby date with Ipswich on Sunday morning.
Johansson, who has been capped 43 times by Finland, joined for the remainder of the season on loan from Charlton. The 30-year-old striker may be on the bench for tonight's trip to Championship leaders Reading. He may be joined by Rehman, who has come to Carrow Road on a similar deal from Fulham. The Birmingham-born defender has played only five times for the Cottagers this season, and was wanted by Luton Town and Sheffield Wednesday.