Wolves are open to selling striker Jorgen Strand Larsen this month, amid interest from Nottingham Forest.
The Premier League’s bottom side recognise allowing the 25-year-old to leave may be best for all parties, if the right deal could be found.
That would include a switch to the City Ground, despite Forest being one of the teams also fighting against the drop from the Premier League.
Forest – missing last season’s 20-goal top scorer Chris Wood – are one of several clubs to have looked at Strand Larsen as an option.
Wood, who has been out with a knee injury since October, had surgery just before Christmas, with a comeback date yet to be determined.
West Ham‘s interest in Strand Larsen has cooled after being asked for £40m, and they have bought Valentin Castellanos and Pablo Felipe instead. Newcastle‘s priorities are now elsewhere after they failed with a £55m bid in the summer and signed Nick Woltemade.
Sean Dyche’s Forest are seven points clear of the relegation zone – and 15 above Wolves – after Tuesday’s 2-1 win at West Ham.
Arnaud Kalimuendo, Forest’s £26m summer signing from Rennes, joined Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt on loan with an option to buy on Wednesday, leaving Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi as the club’s only strikers.
Strand Larsen has been targeted by unhappy Wolves fans this season, having scored just one Premier League goal.
It is part of the reason why Wolves are willing to allow the Norway international to leave, even though he only made his initial loan move from Celta Vigo permanent last July for £23m.
Yet, Strand Larsen is well-respected behind the scenes, where he is seen as a leader. He earned internal credit for the professional way he handled Newcastle‘s interest and bids.
He was rewarded with a five-year contract in September after a promising debut season, scoring 14 goals and helping Wolves finish 16th.
Wolves‘ likely relegation is a factor in Strand Larsen’s future – they only secured their first Premier League win of the season last Saturday, at the 20th attempt, as they beat West Ham 3-0.
Strand Larsen would not be expected to remain at Molineux in the Championship and selling him in January would generate a higher fee than the summer.
Midfielder Joao Gomes has also been linked with Crystal Palace, although Wolves would be reluctant to sell.
But boss Rob Edwards was more open when asked if Strand Larsen – who has started the past three games on the bench – would stay.
“I haven’t said that,” said Edwards before Wednesday’s trip to Everton. “There will be interest in a number of our players I would have thought, especially with the position we’re in and we’ve got some really good players.
“We’re under no pressure to do anything if we don’t think it’s right for the football club. None of us want to weaken the team in this window or any window going forward. We always want to try to be in a stronger position.”
