Jorgen Strand Larsen’s agent breaks silence on Leeds transfer saga – ‘I was pretty sure…’
Leeds United failed to get a deal for Jorgen Strand Larsen over the line in the winter transfer window.
Strand Larsen joined Crystal Palace instead, moving from Wolves to Selhurst Park for a reported fee of £48million.
It meant the Whites only completed one senior signing before the deadline passed, with Leeds bringing in Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton.
The Argentine attacker will spend the rest of the season at Elland Road, but Daniel Farke’s side don’t hold an option to buy.
Jorgen Strand Larsen’s agent reveals truth about Leeds interest
Leeds made a £39million offer for Strand Larsen in the closing stages of the window, and reportedly wanted a move to Elland Road.
However, Palace swooped in and outbid the West Yorkshire side, ultimately sealing a deal for the Norwegian striker.
The Eagles wanted the 25-year-old as a replacement for Jean Philippe-Mateta, but the Frenchman’s move to AC Milan broke down on deadline day.
According to Strand Larsen’s agent, Tore Pedersen, some of the news was reported “too early”, hinting that there were only ever negotiations between the Whites and the striker, with no concrete agreement.
Pedersen, who is a Leeds fan himself, told Norwegian outlet VG that Strand Larsen was always likely to leave Wolves during the winter window.
He said: “People report things too early. There were negotiations between the clubs, and then there were some who reported too early. Things take time – and that’s why they’re called negotiations.”
“I was pretty sure that Jorgen would leave Wolves in the winter window, but I was also pretty sure that it would happen at the end.
“The selling club wants the most, the buying club wants to pay the least. When you are in the middle of a window with a player who has a longer contract, it takes time.”
Did Leeds actually need Strand Larsen?
Leeds always viewed Strand Larsen as a ‘market opportunity’ rather than someone who was desperately needed to fill a void in the squad.
Farke’s side are well stocked in attacking areas, with the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha, Noah Okafor, Brenden Aaronson and Willy Gnonto.
However, the Whites felt that Strand Larsen’s availability was too good to ignore, which is why they were willing to make an offer.
The former Wolves man has only scored one Premier League goal this season, but managed to find the back of the net 14 times in the 2024-25 campaign, as well as grabbing four assists.
Leeds never necessarily planned to bring in a striker during the winter window though, and they will be able to cope completely fine without Strand Larsen in their squad.