If West Ham United were to even consider spending £45 million on a striker in January – such is the fee Wolves want for Jorgen Strand Larsen – it goes without saying that they would demand pretty instant returns.
You can see why the Hammers might like the Molineux number nine.
Hammers News confirmed this week that Wolves value Jorgen Strand Larsen at £45 million, having rejected two mega-money bids from Newcastle last summer. Of course, Premier League survival is ‘priceless’ as far as West Ham United are concerned.
Having scored double figures in the Netherlands, Spain and also England, Strand Larsen would on paper give Nuno Espirito Santo’s hopes a timely boost. Or, at least, the Strand Larsen of last season. The Strand Larson of this season, well, he might not even be an upgrade on Niclas Fullkrug, let alone the man to do what Carlos Tevez did in claret and blue.
Strand Larsen will be the best striker West Ham have signed in years. He will save them from relegation… 😍
What do YOU make of this transfer?
West Ham United target Jorgen Strand Larsen is under fire at Wolves
Was it emblematic of a lack of confidence, or a lack of care?
Sections of an irate Wolves fanbase seemed to think Strand Larsen was straying heavily into the latter when he ambled up and lazily rolled his penalty into the path of Caoimhin Kelleher during Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by Brentford.
£45 million for a striker who plundered 14 goals in 30 Premier League starts last season seems like good value.
£45 million for a striker who has scored just one in 14 this term, and whose dreadful penalty incurred a chorus of venomous boos from the Molineux terraces, well, this may be ‘Fullkrug territory’ as far as value for money goes.
That Wolves boss Rob Edwards felt the need to defend Strand Larsen publicly, in the aftermath of such fierce criticism, speaks to how quickly his stock has fallen in the Black Country. It also hardly reflects well on a striker West Ham would have to break the bank for mid-season.
“I think over the years, people love someone who comes back and can prove people wrong and can turn things around. I think people would really appreciate that if they see the total commitment and effort,” Edwards told the Express and Star of a centre-forward recently accused of lacking in either the ‘commitment’ or ‘effort’ department.
“He can turn it around. He’s a good enough player to be able to do that. That might take some time as well, but he’s trying really hard. He hasn’t given up.”
Wolverhampton Wanderers fans react to Strand Larsen claims
All in all, hardly a ringing endorsement.
“We’re attempting another [Max] Kilman,” one cheeky Wolves supporter wrote on X, referencing the £40 million they coaxed out of the Hammers for the much-maligned centre-back in 2024.
“Come on, Nuno! One final favour for your pals in the Midlands!” another writes, obviously keen on the idea of reinvesting a Strand Larsen-shaped windfall on new talent as they attempt to pull off an escape so great it would leave that Tevez-inspired revival of 2007 look modest in comparison.
“I would let him go on a free to get him out of the club! No way should he be on our wage bill any longer. He doesn’t run, he can’t win a header. I’ll drive him to West Ham myself!”
“Think they learnt their lesson about Kilman. But a deal can still be done. Just as long as we make profit, then I’m happy.”
“I wonder why [West Ham want him]?”
“Who’s actually running this club? Because we will be lucky to get £25 million!”
“The way he is playing, he wouldn’t break into the starting XI for Forest Green Rovers!”
Striker lacks service but West Ham should be worried about his XG
Strand Larsen will, of course, put his lack of goals down to an absence of quality service. Neither Hugo Bueno or Ki-Jana Hoever have proven themselves capable of providing accurate crosses with enough reliability.
Tellingly, eight of his 14 league goals last season were assisted by players no longer at the club; Rayan Ait-Nouri, Nelson Semedo, Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Cunha.
He is averaging 1.1 shots per game in 2025/26, compared to 1.5 in 2024/25. On paper, a West Ham side boasting El Hadji Malick Diouf could help get him back on track. Souffian El Karouani is reportedly heading to London as well from FC Utrecht.
The ASSIST KING may be coming to West Ham! 👑
How do you feel about those Souffian El Karouani links?
El Karouani is the Eredivisie’s ‘Assist King’, with 15 from just 27 starts.
However, he is also underperforming his ‘expected goals’ tally. Strand Larsen scored 14 from an XG of 10 last season. This term, one from 2.6. Clearly, the rangy Norway international must take his share of the blame, even if Wolves lost arguably their four best chance creators from the previous campaign.
Regardless, Hammers News can reveal that Wolves’ demands mean a prospective switch for Strand Larsen is a bit of a non-starter anyway.
“[Wolves] want far too much for a player who has scored just one Premier League goal this season,” a spokesman for the West Ham board explained this week.
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