Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has broken his silence on Newcastle United’s interest in striker Jorgen Strand Larsen this summer.
As the transfer window enters its final week, there is still a lot of work to be done for the Magpies.
With Alexander Isak still refusing to rejoin the first team, Eddie Howe is now desperate to find a new striker. Anthony Gordon led the line in Newcastle United’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa. It was evident then that an out-and-out striker was needed, despite the England international’s bright performance.
Having missed out on players like Joao Pedro and Benjamin Sesko, Newcastle have turned their attention to other targets, one of which is Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The 25-year-old only completed a permanent move to the Midlands this summer, but could soon be sold if the two clubs can reach an agreement. Reports suggested that Newcastle are not far off Wolves’ valuation for Strand Larsen, but others believe Wolves will do whatever they can to keep their player past September 1.
With a striker high on the list of priorities, Vitor Pereira has provided a worrying update on Newcastle’s chances of signing Strand Larsen.
Jorgen Strand Larsen winces during a Premier League game between Bournemouth and Wolves.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Vitor Pereira rules out Newcastle United signing Jorgen Strand Larsen
It has been reported that Wolves want to sign a replacement before selling Strand Larsen, a similar issue to what has plagued Newcastle’s transfer business throughout the summer.
Brentford informed Newcastle that a replacement was needed for Yoane Wissa, but a transfer now appears more likely following Dango Ouattara’s arrival at the Bees.
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However, it looks like Newcastle will struggle to get the Strand Larsen deal over the line before the deadline.
From Alex Crook on X, Pereira said that Wolves need to sign at least three players before the deadline, and that they simply cannot afford to sell Strand Larsen to Newcastle.
Wolves are currently in a dire situation, having lost both their opening games of the Premier League season without scoring a single goal.
Newcastle United must go all out to sign a new striker before the transfer deadline
The belief is that Newcastle will not sell Isak before the transfer deadline, but Liverpool or another club could still come in with a bid in the next few days, which would see Howe’s recruitment team scrambling around for two new strikers.
Newcastle’s priority is to replace Callum Wilson, rather than Isak. William Osula is the only natural striker on the books who is happy to play, but recent comments from Germany say that Osula could leave Newcastle this summer.
It is clear now that a new striker is desperately needed at Newcastle, especially given the Isak saga shows no sign of ending any time soon. Even if the transfer fee is inflated, the time has come to get more desperate: put the extra £5m into a deal or offer a fringe player in exchange.
Whether Newcastle get the striker they hope for is one thing, but the sense of desperation is creeping in, and rival teams will see that.