Wolves do not want to see their star player leave but Newcastle's striker search is getting desperate
Jorgen Strand Larsen
Jorgen Strand Larsen(Image: PA)
Newcastle United have had a second bid for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen knocked back in the dying days of the summer transfer window - and fans in the Chronicle Live comments section are worried that their team are going to have to pay through the nose for any targets this late on.
Strand Larsen scored 14 goals to relieve Wolves' relegation worries last season, putting him on the radar in a hotly contested market for No 9s.
He offered another reminder of his potential on Tuesday night, coming off the bench to put two past West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to win a dramatic Carabao Cup tie.
Wolves do not want to sell up, despite a deal representing a significant immediate profit for them, and could hold out for £60million or more before they crack. Strand Larsen's loan deal was made permanent this summer after spending last season on loan, with Wolves shelling out £23million to retain his services.
Eddie Howe faces a nervous wait to get at least one striker in the building before the transfer window ends on September 1.
Alexander Isak has refused an olive branch from the Toon owners and still wants to move to Liverpool, but it remains to be seen whether the Reds will be able to stump up the cash.
The fans are feeling the pressure too. Reader Daftbob urges the club to get it done: "He looked good last night when he came on. £5million more than they have offered. Get on with it before someone else steps in."
Commenter Malaga01 says: "There are not many variations left, if they sell him for 60, then you have to buy him. He is a nice player, we will see how much potential he has, he is mentally okay, his physical qualities are good too. They say that Liverpool is planning a new offer, in which they want to include Chiesa. I haven't seen him play much, but his salary is quite high. Chelsea values Jackson at 80m, so Larsen would be better if possible."
Pommedeuce writes: "We aren’t in a position to be negotiating now. If there’s one time that throwing money at a problem might work, this is surely it. It seems a clear, ‘fake it till you make it’ approach and we have to look like we mean business to attract similar top-flights players to the club. They haven’t exactly been queueing up over the summer."
Mdk91 says that the maths is easy: "Pay £60m, sell Isak for £130m+, offer Brentford £50m for Wissa, job done with ££ in the bank. Why are we trying to make it so difficult?"
DurbanSkyslot says: "We have a player here who knocked in 14 goals for a struggling outfit with the same output for Celta Vigo. There's no doubt this lad would weigh in with his fair share of goals throughout a season. The market is severely inflated right now so these are the kind of prices clubs are having to pay."
Some think that the Magpies are missing out on another option - Manchester United's out-of-favour Rasmus Hojlund. Ian692017 says: "Can't believe we are not looking at Hojlund."
N Shields Lad agrees: "Emergency signing needed - Hojlund from Man U, before he signs for Napoli for a low fee, as he is about to go there."
Have your say! Do you agree that Newcastle should start 'throwing money at the problem'? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.