He’s like Isak & Wood: Newcastle have explored move to sign £65m PL striker…
Alexander Isak’s time at St James’ Park appears to be drawing to a tense and acrimonious conclusion.
The Sweden international has refused to reintegrate with Eddie Howe’s squad after Liverpool’s summer approach, making it clear he will not play for the Magpies again.
Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak celebrates scoring their first goal-2
Newcastle United’s hierarchy, unwilling to be left light in attack, have made it clear no deal will be sanctioned until a replacement is secured.
The club’s search for a new centre-forward is urgent, with the new Premier League season just days away.
Howe’s focus turns to Wolves’ Jørgen Strand Larsen
Missing out on Benjamin Šeško to Manchester United was a significant blow, while Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson has been monitored following his own push for an exit from Stamford Bridge.
However, the emphasis is now firmly on another target – one who ticks the stylistic and physical boxes required to replace a forward of Isak’s calibre.
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According to GIVEMESPORT, Newcastle have explored the possibility of signing Wolves forward Jørgen Strand Larsen this summer.
Larsen only joined Wolves permanently this summer following a season-long loan from Celta Vigo, in which the club triggered a £23m buy option.
He quickly became a fan favourite, finishing the season with 14 league goals – the highest ever by a Premier League debutant for Wolves, surpassing Raúl Jiménez’s 2018/19 record.
His impact was particularly telling during April, when he scored in three consecutive matches, earning a nomination for Player of the Month.
Standing at 1.93 metres, Larsen is a classic penalty-box presence but with enough technical skill to link play and occupy defenders intelligently.
His market value now sits at £65m according to reports, and Wolves have no appetite to lose him, especially in light of Matheus Cunha’s big-money move to Manchester United.
Nevertheless, Newcastle’s situation with Isak has forced them to probe possibilities that might otherwise have been shut down early.
Wolves’ resolve remains firm, but the Magpies believe Larsen’s profile is worth pursuing, especially before Saturday’s opener against Aston Villa.
How Isak compares to Strand Larsen
Both strikers began their careers in their Scandinavian homelands before taking the next step in the Netherlands — Isak with Willem II and the new target with Groningen — and both have enjoyed spells in Spain prior to their current Premier League stints.
However, it’s not just the biographical similarities that make the tag stick.
Isak vs Strand Larsen in 24/25
Player
Overall G/A
Goals
Assists
Isak
29
23
6
JLarsen
18
14
4
Source: FBref
Both finished clinically, but Larsen actually outperformed Isak in shot accuracy, hitting the target with 61.1% of his efforts compared to the Swede’s 43.2%.
Physically, both are imposing forwards, yet stylistically, there is a clear divergence.
Strand Larsen 2024-25 stats (timeless)
Isak is a more complete ball-playing forward, registering 2.71 progressive carries and 2.88 progressive passes per 90, compared to Larsen’s 0.59 and 1.01, respectively.
This reflects Isak’s tendency to drop deep or drift wide, using pace and dribbling to open up defences, whereas Larsen thrives on intelligent positioning and quick, decisive finishing inside the penalty area.
Larsen’s aerial ability and hold-up play resemble that of Chris Wood – another former Newcastle forward – hence why analyst Ben Mattinson has suggested he’s a “proper number 9”.
Crucially, he ranks in the 84th percentile for non-penalty expected goals per shot (0.19), suggesting an ability to get on the end of high-quality chances, and in the 99th percentile for shot-on-target percentage.
From Newcastle’s perspective, this profile offers a different kind of focal point — one who could complement Anthony Elanga’s pace, Yoane Wissa’s potential arrival from Brentford, and the creativity of Jacob Ramsey, who is close to joining in a £40m deal from Aston Villa.
jacob ramsey
This approach to replacing Isak suggests Howe may be seeking to evolve his side’s attacking blueprint rather than simply slot in a like-for-like clone.
Isak’s combination of dribbling, progressive passing and positional flexibility made him a unique weapon but also left Newcastle vulnerable when he became unavailable.
wolves-premier-league-strand-larsen
Larsen’s more orthodox No.9 skill set could allow Newcastle to build a more direct, penalty-box-oriented attack, especially if supply lines from wide areas are strengthened.
Time, however, is against them.
With the Isak situation unresolved and Wolves digging in over Larsen’s availability, Newcastle must decide whether to push aggressively for their chosen man or pivot once again to alternatives like Jackson.
Given the urgency before the Villa clash, the coming days could define not only their start to the season, but also the tone of Howe’s third full campaign in charge.
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