West Ham Reduces Interest in £40m Strand Larsen

Shift in Focus for West Ham

West Ham United has reportedly scaled back its pursuit of Norwegian striker Jorgen Strand Larsen after learning that Wolverhampton Wanderers are asking for £40 million for the 25-year-old. The Hammers had initially placed Larsen at the forefront of their striker search to enhance Nuno Espirito Santo’s roster.

Current Situation

Following a recent 1-1 draw against Manchester United, Wolves manager Rob Edwards refrained from ruling out a transfer for Strand Larsen, indicating that the player could still exit Molineux in the near future. Nevertheless, West Ham deems the asking price for the player, who signed an extended contract until 2030 just a few months ago, to be excessive and is now exploring alternative options.

Behind the Transfer Decisions

During the summer transfer window, Newcastle United had two bids—of £50 million and £55 million—rejected for Strand Larsen. However, Wolves’ dismal performance this season has increased speculation about their potential relegation to the Championship. Edwards stated, “We will make the right call on every individual,” and emphasized that upcoming decisions will be a collective club choice, with player movements expected in January.

West Ham’s Next Moves

As the Hammers try to close the gap between them and the teams just above the relegation zone—having drawn with Brighton 2-2 recently—their search for strikers now includes targeting Eddie Nketiah from Crystal Palace. The 26-year-old has netted four goals in his 19 appearances this season, although he has only featured in the starting lineup twice in the Premier League, with his last start resulting in a heavy 4-1 loss to Leeds on December 20.

Summary

• Player of Interest: Jorgen Strand Larsen (Wolves)
• Asking Price: £40 million
• Alternative Target: Eddie Nketiah (Crystal Palace)
• Season Performance: Nketiah – 4 goals in 19 appearances

West Ham United remains vigilant as they navigate the transfer market for reinforcements to strengthen their squad amidst their current challenges.

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