How Leeds United could yet still pull off remarkable Jorgen Strand Larsen swoop
Leeds United’s interest in Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen has been well documented throughout the winter transfer window.
Strand Larsen has said his goodbyes to his Wolves teammates ahead of a likely exit from Molineux on deadline day.
While Leeds‘ interest in the Norway international is well known, so to is fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace’s.
Palace are considered the favourites to sign Strand Larsen, with a medical said to be booked for Monday, but that is not to say Leeds are completely out of the race just yet.
Leeds will watch Jorgen Strand Larsen developments closely on deadline day
Palace turned focus to Strand Larsen after it emerged Jean-Philippe Mateta had asked to leave Selhurst Park.
Mateta has been in talks over a move to AC Milan, but that deal has still yet to go through as of Sunday evening.
That is a crucial component to Strand Larsen then joining Palace, as they will need to raise a large amount for the Norwegian – somewhere just shy of £50million.
All that for a player who, as highlighted in the Sofascore graphic below, averages a goal every 261 minutes.
But as per Sky Sports, Leeds have not entirely ruled themselves out of the running for Strand Larsen just yet.
Leeds do not have any other targets lined up, so it is Strand Larsen or nobody on deadline day as far as a new striker goes.
For that to happen, though, Leeds need Mateta’s move to Milan to collapse. Should that happen for whatever reason, Palace would think twice about spending a club-record fee.
Leeds take almighty gamble with deadline day stance
Leeds failing to back Daniel Farke with another attacker is reminiscent of what we saw in the summer window.
While the Whites should be praised for not panicking and spending money on someone else, it is a big risk to take.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been superb this season, but he cannot be relied upon to lead the attack week in, week out – especially not for the full 90 minutes each time.
Realistically, though, there is very little chance of Strand Larsen not becoming a Palace player in the next 24 hours.
Let’s just hope the decision to not go in for someone else does not then come back to haunt Leeds should they get dragged properly into a relegation scrap.
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