Newcastle United have faced another setback in their search for a replacement for Alexander Isak.
The club made a £55 million offer for striker Jørgen Strand Larsen, following a rejected £50 million bid earlier in the week. However, talks between Newcastle and Wolves have yet to yield an agreement.
Larsen recently made an impact by scoring twice as a substitute in Wolves’ Carabao Cup win over West Ham, a result that marked the club’s first victory after a winless preseason. Manager Vitor Pereira praised the 25-year-old as a “top player” with the right attitude and expressed his determination to keep him.
“Football is football, and every player has a price,” Pereira said. “But for me, he is very important and if it were up to me, he would stay. He wants to play and help the team.”
Pereira also dismissed concerns about Larsen causing unrest, saying he has never demanded to be left out and remains committed to the squad.
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s striker situation remains unresolved as Alexander Isak continues to push for a move. Despite releasing a statement suggesting a transfer would benefit everyone, Isak’s departure remains uncertain. He had an impressive 2023/24 season, scoring 21 Premier League goals, reminiscent of the club’s former star Alan Shearer.
The ongoing uncertainty over Isak is putting pressure on Newcastle, who have struggled for points recently, drawing only once in matches against top sides Aston Villa and Liverpool. While the team shows promise in terms of energy and cohesion, manager Eddie Howe has emphasized the need for unity, which is currently compromised by Isak’s unsettled status.
With the transfer window closing soon, Newcastle faces a challenging market. Targeted strikers like Benjamin Sesko have already moved elsewhere, and others like Samu Aggehowa come with hefty price tags. Yoane Wissa remains a possibility but has yet to feature this season after Brentford rejected a £40 million bid.
The window’s timing means sellers demand premium offers to part with key players, especially knowing Newcastle’s significant spending power. The club previously rejected a £110 million offer from Liverpool for Isak, making the Reds the most likely destination, but Newcastle remains firm on a high fee.
This transfer saga could become more complicated, but Newcastle must act quickly to avoid a last-minute scramble.
