New reports indicate a significant shift in transfer plans at Molineux. This shift gives Newcastle United a real chance to go back for a main target they wanted last summer. According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Wolves are ready to let Norwegian striker Jorgen Strand-Larsen leave in January.
They have slashed his price tag just months after turning down huge offers. During the last window, the Midlands club rejected bids of around £50 million from the Magpies. Newcastle United wanted a new signing back then because they weren’t sure about Alexander Isak’s situation.
Newcastle United receive optimistic news regarding transfer target Jorgen Strand-Larsen
Wolves now seem happy to accept a fee closer to £40 million. This amount is almost double what they paid to sign him permanently. Still, it is much lower than what Newcastle United first offered.
The threat of going down is what’s causing this sudden U-turn. Wolves bosses know that falling into the Championship would tank the value of their best players. The club feel okay about letting the forward go.
They still have Tolu Arokodare and Hwang Hee-chan to handle the attacking side of things. Nottingham Forest have already asked about him. On top of that, agents have reached out to Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Everton, and Fulham. West Ham were interested before but moved on to other players. This opens the door for Eddie Howe’s team to grab a bargain on a player they clearly like a lot.
Tactical Analysis: Is Strand-Larsen the Right Fit for the Magpies?
Paying £40 million for Jorgen Strand-Larsen is a tricky move for Newcastle United. It’s a tough call between filling a gap on the pitch and being smart with their budget. In terms of his playstyle, the Norwegian is very different from former striker Alexander Isak’s smooth movement or Callum Wilson’s clinical finishing in the box.
At 6ft 4in, the 25-year-old is a massive threat in the air and is great at holding onto the ball. This will help fast wingers like Anthony Gordon run into the space behind the defence. He works hard when he doesn’t have the ball, which suits Eddie Howe’s high-press style. The Wolves centre-forward stays on the defenders’ backs and ruins their rhythm. These are exactly the things the manager wants from his strikers.
Still, we wonder if he can be a top-tier finisher. He does a lot to help the team build attacks, but his scoring record can be a bit up and down. That might worry fans who are looking for a striker guaranteed to hit twenty goals a year. Even so, getting the striker for £40 million is good business in today’s crazy market.
It looks especially smart when you think about the £60 million Newcastle United nearly spent in the summer. Strand-Larsen is exactly what they need if Howe wants a tough option to break down teams that sit deep.
He also gives them physical traits to see in close games. Since the price has dropped and the player already knows the Premier League, there isn’t much risk here. He adds some much-needed backup to a squad playing in several competitions.
