Report: Newcastle push ahead for £60m striker with ‘personal terms’ in place
The search for a new striker at Newcastle United has taken another interesting turn as the club shifts its attention to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Jørgen Strand Larsen after facing disappointment in their pursuit of Brentford’s Yoane Wissa.
The Magpies saw their £40 million offer for Wissa rejected on Wednesday, despite the player’s reported eagerness to make the move to St James’ Park.
This latest development has only increased the urgency for Newcastle to secure attacking reinforcements, especially with the ongoing situation involving Alexander Isak.
The need for a reliable goalscorer has become increasingly apparent, leading the club to explore alternative options as the transfer window enters its final stages.
According to recent reports from the Express and Star, Wolves have set a firm price tag for their Norwegian international. The Midlands club will only consider parting ways with Strand Larsen if they receive an offer exceeding £60 million.
This valuation places the 25-year-old striker among the most expensive potential signings in Newcastle’s history.
Interestingly, despite the significant financial commitment required, negotiations between the clubs have not yet begun directly. Instead, discussions are currently happening through intermediaries, suggesting a cautious approach from both sides.
Should the clubs eventually agree on a fee, the transition could happen relatively smoothly since Strand Larsen has already agreed to personal terms with Newcastle.
However, the situation differs from typical transfer sagas in one important aspect: the player himself isn’t actively pushing for a move away from Molineux.
This lack of pressure from the player’s side could complicate negotiations, as Wolves hold a stronger bargaining position without the threat of an unhappy player seeking an exit.
The potential £60 million-plus investment would represent a massive show of faith in Strand Larsen’s abilities.
For context, this would place him among Newcastle’s record signings, approaching the club’s current transfer record held by Alexander Isak, who arrived from Real Sociedad for £63 million in 2022.
Other significant investments include the £55 million purchases of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Elanga, demonstrating the club’s willingness to spend big on the right targets.
Newcastle’s interest in Strand Larsen comes after failed attempts to secure other striking options this summer.
The club had previously launched substantial bids for both Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Šeško, only to see them join Liverpool and Manchester United respectively.
These missed targets have increased the pressure on Newcastle’s recruitment team to deliver a quality addition before the transfer window closes.
Strand Larsen’s potential arrival would address a critical need for Newcastle. The Norwegian international has demonstrated his goal-scoring ability in the Premier League, and his physical presence and technical skills would offer Eddie Howe a different tactical option upfront.
His adaptation to English football has been impressive, making him a potentially safer investment compared to players from other leagues.
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Newcastle decides to meet Wolves’ asking price.
The club’s hierarchy must weigh the significant financial investment against the urgent need for attacking reinforcement and the limited time remaining in the transfer window.
With the season already underway and the Isak situation still unresolved, securing a reliable striker has become more important than ever for Newcastle’s ambitions this campaign.
| Newcastle’s Record Signings | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Isak | £63m | 2022 |
| Sandro Tonali | £55m | 2023 |
| Anthony Elanga | £55m | 2024 |
| Bruno Guimarães | £40m | 2022 |
| Joelinton | £40m | 2019 |
This potential move for Strand Larsen represents another chapter in Newcastle’s ongoing transformation under their current ownership.
The willingness to invest substantial sums in talented players demonstrates the club’s ambition to establish themselves as consistent competitors at the highest level.
However, each major signing also brings increased pressure to deliver immediate results, making the decision to pursue Strand Larsen both an exciting and nerve-wracking prospect for everyone involved with the club.