Leeds United approach the January transfer window with a clearer strategy in place, placing increased focus on reinforcing their attacking options, and they have shown serious interest in Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The Whites have already acted to bolster their forward ranks, securing Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton after he rejected the same move last summer.
That search for further attacking reinforcements has been intensified by recent tactical changes. The switch to a 5-3-2 system has heightened the need for a dependable goalscorer, while limited depth in advanced areas has further underlined the urgency to add more attacking quality.
Leeds’ interest in the Wolves forward is surprising, given his high value and competition from at least ten other Premier League clubs. However, Graham Smyth’s insight should encourage the supporters.
The Leeds United insider makes a big claim about Jorgen Strand Larsen
Smyth has provided his take on the whole situation and conceded that he was surprised that Leeds were happy to admit that they enquired about the Leeds striker.
He pointed out that Leeds are far more guarded about their interest in players, but their transparency around Larsen Strand shows that they believe that they can sign the forward.
The journalist stressed that Leeds would not have lodged the enquiry if they didn’t believe that they had a way to make the numbers make sense and sign the Wolves attacker.
Smyth said on the Square Ball Podcast: “They must think there’s a chance, they must think there’s a way of doing it or else they wouldn’t have made an enquiry, and they wouldn’t have been so ready to admit they’ve made an enquiry.
“In the past, with Leeds, you’ve had a lot of ‘we think that one will be too difficult to do, we actually think he’s going elsewhere.’ They try to protect themselves a bit by managing expectations.
“Haven’t had that so much with this one, they have said it’s a difficult one, but they made no bones about the fact they’ve made an enquiry and he’s a player they very much like.
“They definitely think there’s a lot of competition because pretty much everyone in the bottom half of the Premier League would like to take him, but there’s no point in making an enquiry if you think there’s no way we can make this work PSR-wise.
“There must be a lever they think they can pull. I wonder if maybe that lever is Joel Piroe.”
Major coup if Leeds manage to sign him
The Norwegian forward has not been prolific this season, but it could reasonably be argued that his lack of goals is largely a reflection of playing in an underperforming Wolves side.
| Appearances | 35 |
|---|---|
| Goals | 14 |
| Assists | 4 |
He was outstanding for the Black Country club last term, netting 14 goals in his debut Premier League campaign, to the extent that Newcastle viewed him as a potential replacement for Isak. Given the finances involved, it would come as a major surprise if Leeds were able to land Strand Larsen in January, with Wolves likely to demand a substantial fee.
Interest from several other Premier League clubs would only make matters more difficult, particularly for Leeds, who lack the financial firepower to compete with multiple suitors for the Norwegian.
That said, pulling off such a deal would be a genuine statement of intent and a potential game-changer if Leeds somehow managed to persuade the striker to swap Wolves for Elland Road during the winter window.
