In a completely unrelated interview, Holloway was asked about late transfer business. He responded that Earnshaw was leaving Derby, who signed him in the summer for £3.5million, to join Alan Pardew's side.
Holloway described the rumour as ludicrous, and it is sure to anger Norwich fans and boss Peter Grant, who saw the move to Pride Park as not much of a step up and likely to result in a swift return to Championship level. With the Rams sitting bottom of the Premier League, this is already looking likely.
The resoning behind the bizarre transfer could be the equally unlikely move of new Portsmouth striker David Nugent to Derby. Nugent joined from Preston in the summer, and was barred from discussing a move to Derby because of the Lilywhites' acrimonious relationship with their former manager Billy Davies.
Davies could finally get his man if funds are raised from the sale of Earnshaw, with Pompey expected to move for Bolton's Nicolas Anelka as silly season gets into full swing.