The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 23rd January) Whites closing in on Strand Larsen deal
Good Morning. It's Friday 23rd January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Whites closing in on Strand Larsen deal
Leeds United are edging closer to agreing a deal with Wolves to signing Norway international striker Jorden Strand Larsen, according to the Daily Mail. Manager Daniel Farke has made no secret of his desire to strengthen his attacking options, giving him the option of a two-striker system (given the gaffer see's Nmecha as an impact sub). Sitting eight points clear of the drop zone, Leeds are keen to shore up their front line and ensure Premier League safety.
The Midlands club initially slapped a hefty £40 million tag on Strand Larsen, banking on the forward’s raw power and proven goalscoring pedigree. Wolves, however, find themselves on a way ticket to the Championship, and desperately need to balance their books. That financial squeeze may have softened their stance as Leeds prepare a proposal that is likely to include Joel Piroe to sweeten the deal. It’s a classic exchange: one side eyeing fresh firepower, the other in need of wider options to reignite a stuttering campaign.
Strand Larsen arrived at Molineux amid high expectations after a fine season in Norway, but both player and club have struggled to hit the heights. His expected goals per 90 minutes sit stubbornly at just 0.19 this term, while Wolves rank among the lowest in the division for chance creation. Fans and pundits alike have remarked on how the once-incredible centre-forward looks starved of service in a side that can’t seem to replicate last season’s cohesion. For Leeds, though, a change of scenery could unlock the 24-year-old’s potential, and give Farke the imposing focal point he’s been searching for.
Leeds must navigate Premier League Profit and Sustainability rules, yet the club’s hierarchy are confident they can strike a deal that satisfies both financial fair play regulations and the need for a genuine goalscorer. If everything clicks, Strand Larsen in the white of Leeds, leading the line alongside Calvert-Lewin, could become a formidable partnership for seasons to come. If Wolves are prepared to drop their expectations to around £30m, and Leeds are able to trade Piroe to the tune of £12m, a deal suddenly looks more achieveable!
Everton could struggle against Leeds without Grealish
Everton will be without their undisputed talisman, Jack Grealish when Leeds visit the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night. The versatile forward suffered a stress fracture in his foot during last Sunday's surprise 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park. The bad news for Evertonians is that Grealish will be sidelined for up to three months, robbing the blue side of Merseyside of its most creative spark just as they prepare to face a confident Whites side.
In his Sportskeeda column, former England and Arsenal forward Paul Merson underlined the magnitude of this blow. “Everton were outstanding against Aston Villa, but they will miss Jack Grealish in this game,” Merson wrote. The 28-year-old playmaker has been crucial not only in unlocking tight defences but also in allowing teammates like Matty Cash the freedom to bomb forward on the right flank. “I don’t think people understand how good Grealish is in that position. Matty Cash is someone who likes to go forward and he couldn’t do it because of Grealish in the last game!”
Merson also believes that Leeds are learning by their mistakes, using the 4-3 home defeat to Newcastle last month as an example. “Leeds showed a bit of inexperience when they went gung-ho and lost 4-3 to Newcastle recently, but they would have learned from that experience,” he noted. There is no doubt that Leeds are growing in stature, playing with a renewed confidence that may just unsettle an Everton side that have lost three of their last five at home (with one win and a draw).
With Grealish out, Everton will have to rely on the likes of Anthony Gordon to fill the creative void. It’s a tall order against a Leeds team that has goals in abundance and no shortage of ambition. Merson’s verdict is clear: “They are a team that are on the rise and I fancy them here. Everton have now gone four games without a win on home turf. Not long ago, they were slaughtered by Brentford. I think Leeds win this.”