West Ham United are set to launch a bid to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jørgen Strand Larsen, as manager Nuno Espírito Santo urgently seeks to bolster his attacking options this January.
Hammers Make Norwegian Forward a Priority Target
Nuno Espírito Santo has identified the 25-year-old Norwegian international as a primary target to aid West Ham's fight against relegation. The club, currently languishing in 18th place in the Premier League, view the acquisition of a proven striker as vital to their survival hopes. This move comes as the Hammers are also set to loan German forward Niclas Füllkrug to AC Milan, further depleting their frontline options.
Struggling Wolves Set £40 Million Asking Price
Wolves, who sit bottom of the table, are demanding a fee in the region of £40 million for Strand Larsen. The forward has found the current campaign challenging, netting only three Premier League goals so far. This is a stark contrast to his impressive debut season at Molineux after joining from Celta Vigo in 2024, where he scored 14 goals and attracted interest from clubs like Newcastle United.
Nuno's search for offensive firepower has also seen him consider other targets with experience in English football. The West Ham boss has looked at Coventry City's attacking duo Ellis Simms and Haji Wright, and there has been interest in Viktoria Plzen's Rafiu Durosinmi. However, the preference for players acclimatised to the English game appears strong.
Defensive Search Hits a Snag
While the focus is on attack, Nuno is also keen to strengthen his defence. However, an attempt to secure Manchester City's Nathan Aké on loan has failed, with the Dutch defender reportedly not interested in a move to the London Stadium.
With current forward options limited largely to Callum Wilson, and having used wingers Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville in central roles recently, the pressure is on West Ham to secure a deal for Strand Larsen. Whether they will meet Wolves' substantial £40 million valuation remains the pivotal question of this potential transfer.
