Matthis Abline has been linked with a move to Wolvesplaceholder image
Matthis Abline has been linked with a move to Wolves | AFP via Getty Images
Wolves face a battle to retain Jorgen Strand Larsen and are keeping their eye on striker alternatives
Wolverhampton Wanderers are expected to be in the market for attacking reinforcements in the closing days of the summer window as they make contingency plans for the potential departure of star striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The Norwegian frontman, whose loan deal from Celta Vigo was made permanent for £23m earlier in the transfer window, scored 14 league goals in the Premier League last season and was amongst the standout performers as the Old Gold fended off the threat of relegation.
According to The Athletic, Larsen has politely informed Wolves of his wish to complete a transfer to Newcastle United after the West Midlands side turned down two separate offers of £50m and £55m from the North East club to sign the 25-year-old forward. Wolves chairman Jeff Shi, however, is determined to not lose the striker in the same window as Matheus Cunha, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Nelson Semedo as he sees the powerful forward as a crucial player in helping the team this season after last term’s relegation battle.
Wolves have £26m offer rejected for forward
Wolves have had an offer of €30m, which equates to around £26m bid, rejected for promising French forward Matthis Abline. The 22-year-old striker scored 11 goals in 36 matches in Ligue 1 last season, including nine in the league and has recently emerged as a real focal point in attack at the Stade de la Beaujoire. Nantes finished 13th last year, avoiding relegation by just three points.
These qualities have attracted Wolves to make a bid for the forward as they look to enhance their attacking output. However, a from L’Equipe explains that the Canaries’ deputy CEO Franck Kita is holding out for the club’s €40 million (£35 million) price tag, despite Wolves offering the club what would have been a club-record fee for the player.
Nantes, like Wolves, have lost a lot of key stars this summer, raking in around £35m from player sales and they are hugely reluctant to lose any more key first team assets as they look to avoid relegation to Ligue 2.
Will Wolves make another bid for Matthias Abline?
Tolu Arokodare is expected to be officially confirmed as a Wolves player in the near future. A fee in the region of £22.5million, with a further £865,000 in add-ons, has been agreed between the two clubs as they look to get the move over the line before deadline day, as reported by the Express & Star. Arokodare scored 23 in 45 matches across all competitions for KRC Gent and has gained experience in the Europa League qualifiers and Conference League during his career.
The Nigerian international is expected to compete with Jorgen Strand Larsen for minutes at Molineux next season but could potentially become the main striker if the Norewiegen was to depart. If such a scenario were to occur, then it could leave Wolves jumping back into the market to try and land Matthias Abline with an improved offer. However, this appears unlikely with Sky Sports reporter Keith Downiesaying that Newcastle won’t now sign Strand Larsen after agreeing a deal for Nick Woltemade as the two strikers are too similar.
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