Leeds submit take-it-or-leave-it bid in order to force through eleventh-hour striker signing
Leeds are unwilling to up the ante in their bid to sign Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
With the English winter transfer window closing at 7pm on Monday, Premier League clubs are running out of time to get deals over the line for the remainder of the season.
Although the Whites have moved away from the relegation zone, teams below them like Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Burnley have all shown an improvement in recent weeks, meaning now is not the time for Daniel Farke and co to rest on their laurels.
As a result, Leeds are bidding to sign Strand Larsen from Wolves, even though the Norwegian striker has scored just one goal in 21 league appearances this season.
Leeds £39m bid for Jorgen Strand Larsen remains on the table
Crystal Palace’s bid for Strand Larsen has collapsed this week, after they initially saw a total offer of £50million verbally accepted by Wolves.
According to Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth, Leeds are still “very keen” on signing the ex-Celta Vigo forward and are “open to a deal that makes sense”.
Now, TeamTalk claims that Leeds still have a bid on the table for Strand Larsen.
It is understood that Leeds’ offer, which is worth £39m, is yet to be accepted or declined by Wolves, who may be waiting to see if Crystal Palace reignite their interest in a last-ditch deal.
TeamTalk claims that the bid from Elland Road has now turned into a take-it-or-leave-it one.
There’s no desire for the Yorkshire club to change their position or raise their offer in order to push through a last-ditch deal for the Molineux hitman.
Where would it leave Dominic Calvert-Lewin if this deal got done?
It’s easy to understand why Leeds want to sign a new striker.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has done brilliantly this season, but everyone knows that it’s always a matter of when and not if the ex-Everton striker will pick up an injury.
He’s done very well, but Farke would be crazy not have a back-up plan for that eventuality.
But for around £40m, can Strand Larsen be classed as a back-up option?
| Calvert-Lewin | Strand Larsen | |
| Appearances | 21 | 21 |
| Goals | 9 | 1 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 8.93 | 2.86 |
| Shots on target per game | 1.0 | 0.3 |
| Big chances missed | 10 | 3 |
| Assists | 1 | 1 |
| Big chances created | 2 | 1 |
The stats this season show that Strand Larsen should be second-choice behind Calvert-Lewin, who’s having one of his best-ever seasons in the Premier League at Elland Road.
Strand Larsen, by comparison, is having a shocker at Wolves.
However, it’s clear that the Norwegian international is someone with great potential and signing him still makes a lot of sense both in the short-term and long-term.
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