Leeds United transfer boost as David Ornstein provides fresh Jorgen Strand Larsen update
Leeds United are known to have tabled an offer for the Wolves striker this month.
Leeds United remain the only team to submit a transfer bid for Jorgen Strand Larsen with the Wolves striker reportedly open to the idea of an Elland Road move.
The Whites remain in talks with Wolves over the possibility of a January transfer having lodged an offer last week. That bid was not accepted by their Midlands counterparts but seemingly not categorically knocked back, with it still possible a deal could get done before the February 2 deadline.
Since making their initial enquiry earlier this month, Elland Road chiefs have acknowledged the two main barriers to a January move, with Wolves demanding around £40m and competition rife. But Leeds have received a potential boost ahead of the transfer window’s final week.
In this week’s edition of The Athletic’s Transfer DealSheet, reporter David Ornstein names Strand Larsen as his ‘one to watch’ and reports that at present, Leeds are the only team to submit an offer. Furthermore, the 25-year-old striker and his Elland Road season ticket-holding agent are ‘known to like the idea’ of a move to LS11.
Potential rivals earlier in the month included West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa but all appear to be looking elsewhere at present. The Hammers have already spent a combined £45m on two forwards while Tammy Abraham is set for a return to Villa Park as back-up for Ollie Watkins.
Forest’s striker interest could present a problem for Leeds, however, with City Ground chiefs setting their sights on wantaway Crystal Palace frontman Jean-Philippe Mateta. They have already submitted a bid worth £35m and are expected to step up interest in the coming days.
Crystal Palace’s Jorgen Strand Larsen transfer stance
Palace are believed to want a package worth £40m for Mateta and will only sanction a January exit once they have a replacement lined up, with Strand Larsen among a number of potential targets. So far, their valuation has not been met and a successor to lead the Eagles line has not been sourced.
Should Mateta leave, then Ornstein reports Palace are likely to become Leeds’ main rivals for Strand Larsen, with ‘strong interest’ already present. Their sporting director, Matt Hobbs, was previously in charge of transfers at Wolves where he brought the Norwegian on loan from Celta Vigo before a permanent signing was made last summer.
Palace have endured a miserable start to the New Year, however, and look set to be fighting for their Premier League status after losing Eberechi Eze in the summer and Marc Guehi this month. The Eagles are just one place and two points above Leeds, having failed to win since early December.
There is also a lack of continuity at Selhurst Park beyond this season, with impressive manager Oliver Glasner already revealing he will leave in the summer once his contract expires. Wolves’ stance of not needing to sell remains the same regarding Strand Larsen, who is contracted at Molineux until 2030.