Newcastle exploring move to sign £65m CF who’s a “proper No.9”, he’s like Isak & Wood – opinion
Alexander Isak’s Newcastle Exit Nears as Magpies Target Wolves’ Jørgen Strand Larsen
Alexander Isak’s future at St James’ Park is hanging by a thread, with tensions between the Sweden international and Newcastle United now spilling into open view. What once looked like a long-term partnership between the striker and Eddie Howe’s project is instead heading for a messy and potentially drawn-out divorce.
Following a summer approach from Liverpool, Isak has refused to reintegrate into Howe’s first-team squad. He has made his stance crystal clear: he has no intention of playing for Newcastle again. The decision has left the Magpies in a precarious position, especially with the new Premier League season just days away.
The club’s hierarchy, though, is not prepared to bow to player pressure without protecting their own interests. Newcastle will not sanction any deal — whether with Liverpool or another suitor — until a suitable replacement has been lined up. For a team already lacking depth in attack, losing their star forward without a ready-made alternative would risk undermining their season before it has even begun.
A Striker Search Under Pressure
Missing out on Benjamin Šeško, who opted for a move to Manchester United, was an early summer setback. Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson has also been monitored as a possible option, especially given his growing frustration at Stamford Bridge. Yet Howe and his recruitment team appear to have shifted their focus towards a striker they believe could match the physicality and penalty-box instinct that Isak brought — albeit with a different style.
That man is Wolves’ Jørgen Strand Larsen. According to GIVEMESPORT, Newcastle have already explored the possibility of signing the Norwegian international.
Larsen, who joined Wolves permanently this summer after a productive loan from Celta Vigo, cost the Midlands club £23 million when they triggered their buy option. His debut Premier League campaign was nothing short of impressive — 14 league goals made him the highest-scoring top-flight debutant in Wolves’ history, breaking Raúl Jiménez’s 2018/19 mark. His standout form in April, when he scored in three consecutive games and earned a Player of the Month nomination, further underlined his impact.
Standing at 1.93 metres, Larsen is a traditional penalty-box striker but with enough technical skill to link play and occupy defenders. He combines physical dominance with a knack for intelligent positioning — qualities Newcastle see as crucial if they are to recalibrate their attack in Isak’s absence.
Wolves, however, have no intention of selling. His market value has reportedly soared to around £65 million, and with Matheus Cunha already departing for Manchester United, they are in no mood to lose another key forward. Still, Newcastle’s situation may force them to test Wolves’ resolve in the coming days.
How Larsen Compares to Isak
Both Isak and Larsen share parallel career paths — early breakthroughs in Scandinavia, formative years in the Netherlands (Isak at Willem II, Larsen at Groningen), and productive spells in Spain before their Premier League moves. But the similarities largely end there.
Statistically, Larsen holds the edge in shooting accuracy, hitting the target with 61.1% of his attempts last season, compared to Isak’s 43.2%. His 84th-percentile ranking for non-penalty expected goals per shot (0.19) and a remarkable 99th-percentile shot-on-target rate reflect a striker who thrives on finishing high-quality chances.
Where the two differ most is in style. Isak is a fluid, ball-playing forward, capable of dropping deep, drifting wide, and creating for teammates — reflected in his 2.71 progressive carries and 2.88 progressive passes per 90 minutes. Larsen, by contrast, prefers to lead the line, stay central, and use sharp movement inside the box. His 0.59 progressive carries and 1.01 progressive passes per 90 underline a more orthodox No. 9 approach.
Analyst Ben Mattinson even likens Larsen to Chris Wood — another physically dominant Newcastle forward of recent years — calling him a “proper number nine.” Such a profile could pair well with the pace of Anthony Elanga, the potential signing of Yoane Wissa from Brentford, and the creativity of Jacob Ramsey, who is close to sealing a £40 million move from Aston Villa.
An Attack in Transition
Replacing Isak is not about finding a carbon copy. His dribbling, positional flexibility, and creative output made him a unique weapon, but Newcastle often found themselves short of a focal point when he was unavailable. In Larsen, Howe might see an opportunity to reshape the attack into something more direct and penalty-box oriented — a system that could prove more consistent over a long season.
The clock, however, is ticking. With the Isak saga unresolved and Wolves reluctant to entertain offers, Newcastle face a crucial decision: go all in for Larsen now, or pivot to other options such as Jackson.
The outcome over the next few days could define not only the opening weeks of Newcastle’s campaign but also set the tone for Howe’s third full season at the helm. One way or another, the Magpies’ forward line will look very different when the first whistle blows against Aston Villa.