NYCFC is reportedly interested in Jens Petter Hauge despite needing a striker | OneFootball

In case one has not been following New York City FC over the last few months, then it is vital to know that the team has talent, but desperately needs a striker. Alonso Martínez tore his ACL while with Costa Rica and subsequently missed the final two playoff games with the Pigeons. Seymour Reid is the only other striker on the squad, and he is not ready to be an everyday starter. So, why are there reports that the team is interested in a winger?

According to Ekrem Konur of SportsBoom, NYCFC is one of the Major League Soccer sides that is interested in Jens Petter Hauge, a winger from Fotballklubben Bodø/Glimt in Norway. The Bronx side joins Los Angeles FC as one of the teams that would like to sign the Norwegian player, more than likely as a Designated Player.

Hauge is a talented player who has turned into a star for Bodø/Glimt. He is currently in the middle of his second stint with the club, and scored eight goals and registered five assists during the 2025 Eliteserien. But he has really turned heads by scoring six times in the UEFA Champions League and helping his team make the Round of 16. Hence, he has interest from some European teams.

Interest Jens Petter Hauge does not make sense for NYCFC

However, Konur is reporting that the forward is interested in going to MLS because he can be a star. Moving to a top-five league in Europe would not guarantee that. So, why does NYCFC, supposedly, have interest in signing Hauge? Would it not be an intelligent move to sign a striker as a DP, as they intended to do so with Moussa Sylla before the deal fell apart?

Additionally, the Boys in Blue have Talles Magno, Nicolás Fernández Mercau, Agustín Ojeda, and Hannes Wolf to play on the wings. Kevin O'Toole can also play as a left winger when needed, and eventually, Malachi Jones will be healthy enough to act as a depth piece.

Still, with Julián Fernández leaving on loan, the fact that Ojeda is not always liable, and that Magno is questionable, adding a winger who has been superb over the last year would be a great move to make. Understandably, two strong MLS teams like NYCFC and LAFC are interested, again, as based on reports. Yet, the team needs a striker who can regularly score goals.

Now, some might argue that the Pigeons would get a goal scorer by bringing in Hauge. But he played with a striker who scored 24 goals, and was not the one being relied on. A team cannot fix their striker problems by signing a winger, unless that winger can play as a striker and play well. Hauge is not that player.

It is also hard to believe that the Norwegian would want to leave Bodø/Glimt during a truly magical time. Not only is the team in the Champions League Round of 16, but they have also beaten some top sides like NYCFC's sister club, Manchester City FC.

And sure, being a star in MLS would be great, but would it not be more enticing to play in a top league and try to become a star there? And why would he take the risk and leave before the summer? If he wants to make the World Cup roster for Norway, then moving to a new team could be detrimental to his goal.

In other words, such a move would not make sense for NYCFC or the player. Hauge is talented, but the Pigeons should sign a DP striker instead, even on a short-term deal.