The Norwegian striker, 25, is high on Newcastle’s shortlist as they search for reinforcements following the exit of Callum Wilson and the likely transfer of Alexander Isak to Liverpool before the end of the summer transfer window on Sept. 1.
Wolves rejected two Newcastle offers for their forward — an opening offer of £50m and a second worth £55m — in a span of a few hours, and the club has made clear they do not intend to sell the striker this window.
Wolves chairman Jeff Shi is understood to have told Strand Larsen directly that a transfer will not be sanctioned, but the player has now moved into an Isak-like position to try and force a move.
Strand Larsen joined Wolves permanently from Celta Vigo for £23m in July after a season on loan, has already scored three goals in two competitions this campaign, including a decisive brace against West Ham in the Carabao Cup. He has made 41 appearances for Wolves, with 16 goals and five assists.
Wolverhampton view Strand Larsen as too important to lose this late in the summer and believe finding two forwards to cover his departure in the final days of the window would be unfeasible. Rings a bell? Ah…
While Newcastle continue to push for a new striker, the impossibility of landing targets the Magpies have faced has been ridiculous, to say the least, and compounded by setbacks in talks for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa and Wolves’ firm stance on Strand Larsen.
Let’s see how this develops.