Forest’s Urgent Need for Firepower
While Nottingham Forest expects a quiet January, securing a new striker has become the club’s top priority. With Arnaud Kalimuendo out on loan and Chris Wood sidelined following surgery, the squad is remarkably thin. The pressure is currently on summer arrival Igor Jesus, but Sean Dyche requires more depth to ensure Premier League safety and a successful Europa League run—especially with Taiwo Awoniyi’s future at the club looking uncertain.
The Pursuit of Jorgen Strand Larsen
Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen has emerged as a primary target. Despite a prolific 14-goal haul last season, the 25-year-old Norwegian has struggled during Wolves’ difficult current campaign, netting only once in the league.
- The Price Tag: Wolves are reportedly asking for £40 million. This valuation has been heavily criticized by pundit Simon Jordan, who labeled the fee “rubbish” and described the player’s recent form as poor.
- The Player’s Stance: After scoring a hat-trick in the FA Cup, Strand Larsen remained coy about his future, stating he is happy but acknowledging the need for strikers to score regularly to keep their place.
- The Manager’s View: Wolves boss Rob Edwards noted the player’s commitment but admitted that the club’s bottom-of-the-table position means they must consider offers that are “right for the club.”
Sean Dyche’s Perspective
True to form, Sean Dyche has refused to comment on specific targets like Strand Larsen until deals are finalized. However, he has publicly acknowledged the need for more “effective” attacking options. He praised Igor Jesus’s work rate and Morgan Gibbs-White’s goal contributions but admitted the club is actively searching the market for a specialized finisher.
Alternative Targets
Forest is keeping a wide net cast across Europe, with several other names on their shortlist
| Player | Current Club | Status/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Youssef En-Nesyri | Fenerbahce | Forest has reportedly made a loan offer; weather may be a hurdle. |
| Artem Dovbyk | Roma | Named as one of four key targets on the shortlist. |
| Mehdi Taremi | Olympiacos | Also featured on the club’s primary shortlist. |
| Evan Ferguson | Brighton (on loan at Roma) | Linked as a potential option. |
| Lorenzo Lucca | Napoli |
