As the January window approaches, the links between some of the Championship's in-form players and Premier League sides will start to intensify – that's just how things work in English football.

So it is no surprise that after an impressive start to the 2021/22 campaign, reports have suggested that Hull City centre-back Jacob Greaves is on Norwich City's radar.

Here we've taken a deeper look at the potential deal, to assess whether it's a move the Canaries should pursue and what he could offer them...

Is it a good potential move?

Looking long term this could turn out to be a brilliant signing and the sort of move that we've come to expect from Norwich in recent years, with the Norfolk club having been so effective at identifying and signing up-and-coming players.

Greaves' stock is only likely to continue to rise, so moving for him now could mean the Canaries can get him slightly cheaper and don't have to compete with any other big clubs.

That said, if Smith wants a centre-back to use now I'm not sure this is the right signing for him.

The defender has impressed in all three EFL divisions and always adapted to the challenge of stepping up to a new league but he only has 18 Championship appearances under his belt and there are serious question marks over whether he's ready for the top flight.

Would he start?

No.

As discussed above, Greaves has a great deal of potential and has impressed at Championship level this season but it may be too soon to talk about playing week in, week out in the Premier League.

In Grant Hanley, Ben Gibson, and Andrew Omobamidele, Smith has three players that should be above him in the pecking order while Rocky Bushiri and Ozan Kabak are still yet to return from injury.

The Hull defender would find himself down the pecking order at Carrow Road, in my eyes.

What does he offer?

He's got all the makings of a quality central defender.

Greaves can be a physical defender when he wants to be but also reads the game very well and is always on the lookout for danger, ready to extinguish it.

In the way of the modern centre-back, the 21-year-old is calm and composed in possession with a good left foot – as his impressive passing stats this season illustrate.

Greaves is tall with a big frame but has yet to really prove himself imposing in the air or a threat in the opposition box, though given his age that is no real surprise.

But he is still young and far from the finished article, so it would not be a surprise to see Premier League forwards expose him should be make the move to Norwich.