Club confident the striker would never force a move away despite his interest in joining the Magpies
Wolverhampton Wanderers have rejected a second bid worth £55m from Newcastle United for striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Newcastle’s improved offer was submitted this week following an opening bid of £50m last week that was also turned down. Wolves remain firm in their position that the Norway international will not be sold this summer.
The 25-year-old joined Wolves permanently from Celta Vigo for £23m in July having initially joined on loan last year. The Norwegian has quickly become central to Wolves boss Vitor Pereira’s plans. He has started both of Wolves’ league fixtures this season and came off the bench to score twice in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win over West Ham.
Newcastle are in desperate need for striking options after Callum Wilson left the club this summer and first choice Alexander Isak is agitating for a move to Liverpool.
The club have missed out on several targets this summer, including Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Benjamin Sesko, and Hugo Ekitike, all of whom have joined their rivals for the top five places in the Premier League.
Wolves are unwilling to sanction a sale this late in the window, with limited time to bring in a replacement ready for Premier League football. Strand Larsen is understood to be open to the move but has not forced the issue, out of respect for Wolves.
Head coach Pereira said: “I know a lot of players in my career in this situation and they have asked me not to play but [Strand Larsen] wants to play every time. He wants to help the team.
“In the last seven or eight months I am with him, I know him very well. He will never force.
“Of course we know football is football. You must be ready for everything but I want to keep the best players and this kind of player with us.”
