Newcastle United hold ‘strong interest’ in signing £23m Wolves star - just weeks after summer transfer
Wolves face a battle to retain the services of one of last season’s standout performers
Newcastle United’s hunt for a striker has reportedly seen them make an approach to try and sign highly-rated Wolves talisman Jorgen Strand Larsen this week.
The Magpies are in the market for a centre forward this summer after learning of Alexander Isak’s desire to potentially ‘explore other options’ away from St James’ Park amid growing uncertainty about his future.
Newcastle’s stance has always been that Isak is not for sale but this latest bombshell which follows the striker’s decision to sit out their pre-season tour appears to have increased the chances of a potentially Premier League-record breaking departure from the North East.
Isak scored 23 goals in 34 Premier League appearances last term while also netting the winner in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool and the Magpies have been hugely reliant on his goalscoring qualities in recent seasons.
Newcastle United express interest in Jorgen Strand Larsen
The Express & Star’s reporter Liam Keen understands that Newcastle United are huge admirers of Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen and believes the Norwegian is one of a number of candidates under consideration by the St James’ Park club.
The outlet claims Wolves are yet to receive any contact from Newcastle regarding the player’s availability and adds that Wolves have no intentions to sell the 25-year-old this summer after already losing Matheus Cunha to Manchester United for £62.5m and cashing in on Rayan Ait-Nouri in after his £36.3m move to Manchester City.
Larsen was signed last summer from Celta Vigo on an initial loan deal with an option to buy. He hit the ground running with 14 goals and four assists in the Premier League while racking up 35 league appearances. The striker in many ways acted as the catalyst for Wolves’ survival in the top-flight, earning him a £23m move to Molinuex on a permanent basis and a four-year contract which runs until the summer of 2029.
Could Jorgen Strand Larsen leave Wolves this summer?
The Express & Star claims that Wolves are determined to keep Jorgen Strand Larsen and are unlikely to sell the player just weeks after agreeing a permanent deal.
The report adds that Newcastle have not yet made any approach for the striker and also suggest that Larsen is happy in the West Midlands at this moment in time.
It’s also suspected that Newcastle are pursuing other targets at this stage, including Brentford’s Yoanne Wissa after having an offer in the region of £25m turned down earlier in the summer. The Magpies have also been linked with a move for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko with a reported approach being mooted by journalists.
They’ve been in the market for a striker since allowing Callum Wilson to leave on a free transfer but could potentially sign two if they lose Alexander Isak this summer.
Larsen earned plenty of plaudits during his debut season and was described by Vitor Pereira as his ‘profile of striker’ after a victory over Ipswich. Meanwhile, Alan Shearer added on BBC Sport: “He was a nuisance. His hold-up play was excellent, his touch and control were superb.”