West Ham United have been advised to steer clear of a big-money move for Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jørgen Strand Larsen and instead invest the reported £40 million fee on two targeted signings who could bolster their survival fight.
The Costly Gamble on a Wolves Forward
With the club languishing in the Premier League relegation zone over the festive period, manager Nuno Espírito Santo is expected to receive backing in the January transfer window. A recent name linked with a switch to the London Stadium is Wolves' Norwegian striker, Jørgen Strand Larsen.
The 25-year-old impressed last season with 14 top-flight goals but has found the net just once in the league this campaign. Despite his current struggles, his contract at Molineux runs until 2030, giving Wolves significant negotiating power. Reports, including from The Guardian, suggest it would take an offer of at least £40 million to secure his services.
This represents a major outlay for a club that has seen recent expensive signings fail to deliver, such as the £27 million spent on Niclas Füllkrug. Pouring such a sum into a single striker who is out of form could also hamper future spending, leading to suggestions the Hammers would be wiser to spread the budget across two crucial positions.
Charlie Cresswell: The 'Impressive' Defensive Solution
One area identified for reinforcement is the defence, and a prime candidate is former Leeds United centre-back Charlie Cresswell. The 23-year-old Englishman is currently plying his trade in Ligue 1 with Toulouse, where he has earned considerable praise for his performances.
European football expert Andy Brassell told talkSPORT that Cresswell has been "very impressive" but will need to move to a more competitive club to push for senior England honours. A return to the Premier League could provide that platform.
It is claimed that Toulouse wanted around £17 million for the defender in the summer, but his value may now have risen to approximately £20 million. A deal in that region would still leave a significant portion of the hypothetical Strand Larsen budget available.
Josh Sargent: The 'Best' Striker in the Championship
The remaining funds could then be directed towards a proven goal-scorer at a lower risk. According to The Sun, Norwich City could be persuaded to sell USA international Josh Sargent for a fee in the region of £15 million.
The 25-year-old striker has extensive experience in the Championship, scoring 15 goals last season and starting the current campaign strongly. Former Norwich boss Liam Manning labelled him "the best Championship striker" last August, while David Wagner has praised his "complete" profile both with and without the ball.
This dual approach would see West Ham secure a promising, young defender to solidify their back line and a prolific striker from the second tier, all for a combined fee similar to that demanded for Strand Larsen alone. As the January window approaches, this strategy is being presented as a more prudent and effective way for the Hammers to strengthen their squad for a crucial second half of the season.
