David Ornstein provided a significant update regarding Leeds United’s chase of Jorgen Strand Larsen on Tuesday, confirming that the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker views a move to West Yorkshire favourably. The Athletic’s transfer correspondent reports that the Norwegian international remains keen on the transfer, while his agent, Tore Pedersen, who notably holds a season ticket at Elland Road, is also in favour of the move.
Leeds United optimistic as Strand Larsen favours Elland Road switch
Negotiations continue between the clubs after Leeds recently improved their bid to an initial £33m plus £6m in add-ons. This figure edges closer to Wolves’ £40m valuation and follows a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park on Monday night, a result that lifted Daniel Farke’s men six points clear of the relegation zone.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has led the line admirably since his summer arrival and has netted nine times. While Lukas Nmecha offers support, Farke still insists on reinforcing his attacking options before the window shuts. The manager fears that an injury to either forward could derail their survival bid.
However, complications remain as reports indicate that Crystal Palace pose a serious threat to Leeds’ plans. Sporting director Matt Hobbs, who originally brought Strand Larsen to England, leads the Palace interest. Palace may launch a rival bid if they sanction Jean-Philippe Mateta’s departure, which could potentially spark a bidding war in the market’s final days.
A risk worth taking for Premier League survival?
Strand Larsen’s form during the 2025/26 campaign leaves the Leeds hierarchy with a tough decision to make. The 25-year-old has struggled for consistency at Molineux this term, managing just one goal in 19 Premier League appearances. This is a sharp decline from his impressive 14-goal haul in the previous season.
Critics might argue that paying nearly £40m for a striker lacking confidence represents a gamble, yet Farke clearly prizes the Norwegian’s physical profile and link-up play over raw statistics. The manager likely believes his system will unlock the striker’s potential, especially as his tactics currently serve Calvert-Lewin effectively.
From a business perspective, Wolves find themselves in a tricky spot. Selling a forward while they battle relegation themselves seems counterintuitive, but the funds could help them rebuild other parts of the squad. For Leeds, the decision comes down to the price of staying up. Staying in the Premier League for another year is worth far more than the cost of this transfer.
It makes sense to bring in a player who actually wants to be at the club, as long as the board can agree on a fee that satisfies Wolves without overspending. With Arsenal visiting Elland Road next, adding a hungry, physically imposing striker could provide the exact spark the Whites require to pull away from the bottom three for good.
Nitish Bhan
Nitish is a football journalist with over 12 years of experience covering the Premier League and global football. He combines data-driven reporting with tactical analysis to deliver in-depth coverage for readers who want more than just match reports. A marketing graduate and lifelong football addict, Nitish has contributed to Sportskeeda,…