Leeds Lodge Formal Bid for Wolves' Strand Larsen as January Business Hots Up

The pursuit is on. Leeds United have officially entered the conversation with Wolves over the availability of striker Jørgen Strand Larsen, submitting their opening bid for the Norway international as the January window enters its final stretch.

No deal is yet in place between the two Premier League sides, but the initial approach has opened lines of communication that could prove fruitful before the month's end. The two clubs are reportedly not operating in entirely different universes when it comes to valuation, though there remains clear ground to cover.

Transfer correspondent Ben Jacobs has confirmed the bid was submitted days ago and has already been knocked back, with Wolves holding firm on a £40m asking price for their striker. The Midlands club, having already rebuffed Newcastle's advances of £50m and £55m last summer, appear minded to maximise their return despite their current predicament—they're all but certain for the drop with just eight points from 22 matches.

For Leeds, the move makes sense. Daniel Farke's side have steadied the ship admirably since promotion, sitting eight points clear of the relegation zone after losing just once in ten matches across all competitions. While the Whites have managed respectable attacking output for a newly-promoted outfit—fewer than seven Premier League sides have scored fewer goals—there's an argument for bolstering the forward line.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has chipped in with nine goals across 20 appearances this season, but additional firepower in the final third wouldn't go amiss.

The Yorkshire club's transfer ambitions don't end with Strand Larsen. Reports from Italy suggest Leeds have also tabled a €30m-plus-bonuses package for Como's Martin Baturina, the Croatian attacking midfielder. That approach, however, has been rejected by Cesc Fabregas' outfit.

Farke has been notably cautious about January business, striking a measured tone when discussing potential additions. The Leeds boss emphasised his side's selective approach, noting that while they're working within the world's best league and must remain alert to opportunities, they're not about to disrupt a dressing room currently moving in the right direction. With 25 points on the board and genuine hopes of survival, the priority remains keeping the group tight and unified rather than wholesale changes.

"If you're in a team where everyone has got the feeling we're in a healthy position, I think then it would be madness to change too much on key positions," Farke said. He reiterated that while Leeds won't fall asleep during the window, they'll only pull the trigger on a signing if completely convinced it strengthens the project.

The manager has made clear that the busiest period of the transfer window is behind them, with the club content to hold their line unless a genuinely compelling option emerges. In Strand Larsen, they may have identified exactly that—but Wolves' valuation suggests any deal will require Leeds to sharpen their pencil considerably.