Leeds United Contact Wolves For The In-demand ‘Number 9’: Why A Deal Would Be Tricky For The Whites | OneFootball

If a recent report from David Ornstein (via The Athletic) is believed to be true, Leeds United have approached Wolverhampton Wanderers for their star striker Jorgen Strand Larsen. But a deal could prove difficult for the Whites, as they might struggle to meet his valuation amid PSR concerns and competition from other suitors.

The 25-year-old Norway international progressed through the academy ranks of Kvik Halden and Sarpsborg 08 back in his homeland. He also spent a season on loan with AC Milan Primavera, but returned to Sarpsborg after the Italian giants opted not to make the move permanent.

Rise In Europe

Strand Larsen then tried his luck in the Netherlands, following a €1.10m switch to Groningen in the summer of 2020. There, he impressed high up the pitch and eventually secured a €15m transfer to the La Liga outfit Celta Vigo a couple of years later. A productive 2023-24 campaign earned him a Premier League move, with Wolves securing his services on an initial loan before making it permanent last summer.

The Wanderers, who tied him down for €30m, rejected bids worth double from Newcastle United in August. He helped them script a survival last season by netting 14 goals; however, Wolves’ disastrous form this term has placed them at the bottom of the league with just 7 points in 21 games.

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolverhampton Wanderers protests to Referee Anthony Taylor following defeat in the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United at Molineux on September 20, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Although the Norwegian has netted only once in 19 appearances, five points from their last three outings have brought a glimmer of hope. They still need a miracle to escape relegation and, therefore, must keep hold of their in-demand ‘number 9’ for the remainder of the campaign.

Why Leeds United Must Find A Way To Land The Norwegian

Yet a couple of scenarios might lead to Strand Larsen’s January exit. He is no longer valued as high as £55m, and the West Midlands side should cash in on their prized asset before it drops further. They would listen to offers of around £40m, as understood earlier this window when West Ham United cooled their interest and settled with Valentin Castellanos and Pablo Felipe. Nottingham Forest are also in the mix, and now the enquiry from Leeds United suggests how the teams struggling at the bottom end could fight for the centre-forward over the next two weeks.

The Whites roped in two strikers in the summer on Bosman transfers. Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a slow start to life at Elland Road, but his exquisite scoring streak has put them eight points clear of the drop zone.

Having said that, Daniel Farke would benefit from another prolific goalscorer, with Noah Okafor, Lukas Nmecha and Joël Piroe failing to complement the Englishman in his 3-5-2 setup. But they are not in a position to splash the cash, as the 49ers, having maxed out their spending limits under profit and sustainability rules, must offload their fringe players to free up the funds.