Newcastle United agree personal terms with striker as replacement for Callum Wilson
Newcastle United have been in the transfer market for a new striker all summer.
Newcastle United are set to make a third bid for Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Only five days of the summer transfer window remain and the Magpies are still searching for a replacement for Callum Wilson, rather than Alexander Isak.
Isak is on strike in an attempt to force a move to Liverpool, and while the Swede could get his wish IF two strikers arrive, Newcastle’s only focus right now is getting one over the line.
Signing a new striker has proven to be a somewhat thankless task to date, with the likes of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro opting to join Chelsea, and Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko joining Liverpool and Manchester United, respectively, as opposed to Newcastle.
United have also tried to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford, but despite the player’s desperation to make the move, the Bees have so far stood firm, last week rejecting a £40million offer.
The Wissa deal isn’t dead as such, but to sanction his exit, Brentford will need to either sign a replacement or receive an offer close to £50m from Newcastle. Given Wissa turns 29 next month, the latter option is all but ruled out.
Newcastle United prepare third bid for Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen
All of the above has led Newcastle to turn their attention to Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen, and positive discussions between the club and the player’s side has provoked two bids - both rejected.
The latest of £55m, a £5m increase on the opening offer, was submitted on Tuesday night, the same night Strand Larsen came off the bench to score twice for Wolves in their 3-2 Carabao Cup victory over West Ham United.
Despite the Molineux club’s desire not to sell, Newcastle are expected to go in with another bid, with Wolves boss Vitor Pereira admitting every player has a price.
Wolves manager comments on Jorgen Strand Larsen’s future
"If it's my decision, of course. Of course. Because he's a very important player,” Pereira said after the West Ham victory,
"It's not only about the technical and tactical, it's about the character. He's a player with character. I can imagine his mind in this moment because he listens to a lot of things, reading a lot of things, and then he keeps the commitment.
"I know him. In the last seven or eight months that I'm with him. I know him very well. He will never, never force. But of course, we know football is football. He must be ready for everything. But I want to keep the best players and this kind of player with us, of course.
"Until now, Jorgen is our player. We'll see what happens. I understand football. Football is football. Every player has a price, I believe. Even Messi or Cristiano. I understand football, but for me, he is very, very important for us. We'll see what happens."
How Jorgen Strand Larsen feels about Newcastle United move
Strand Larsen won’t agitate for a move out of respect for Wolves. He only completed a £23m permanent move from Celta Vigo this summer following his successful loan spell last season.
But the 25-year-old Norwegian striker wants to join Newcastle. As reported by our sister title Express and Star, he has already agreed personal terms over a potential switch.