Jorgen Strand Larsen has opened up on the months that followed his failed transfer to Newcastle United last summer
Jorgen Strand Larsen almost joined Newcastle United last summer(Image: George Wood – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Crystal Palace striker Jorgen Strand Larsen has opened up on feeling “hopeless” in the months that followed his failed move to Newcastle United. The Magpies tried to sign the forward last year as they rebuilt their forward line.
Alexander Isak’s departure to Liverpool and Callum Wilson’s exit as a free agent left Newcastle needing to sign two new forwards, with Yoane Wissa identified early as a key target.
Strand Larsen was also heavily linked with a move to Newcastle during his time at Wolves, with the Molineux outfit resolute in their stance that the striker was not available for transfer.
Newcastle then turned their attention to sign Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart, with the Germany international joining Wissa in moving to St James’ Park, with both fees combined reaching £125million.
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Strand Larsen did eventually leave Wolves, with Crystal Palace signing the Norway international in a club-record deal potentially worth up to £48million in the recent January transfer window.
During his time at Wolves, Strand Larsen managed to score just one goal in the Premier League this season in 22 appearances, but has since scored three in the top flight for Palace.
The 26-year-old has now opened up on the speculation around his future last summer amid interest from Newcastle, and how it ha a negative impact on him.
Newcastle United saw bids rejected for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen in the summer transfer window. (Image: Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)
“It has been six months that have been completely hopeless,” Strand Larsen said in an interview with Norwegian newspaper VG. “It has been very tough mentally, physically and in every way possible.
“I didn’t want it to end that way at Wolves, because it’s a fantastic club that I care about. I hoped things would change, but for me it was important to take a step forward.
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“When you have zero wins after half a season, there is of course a lot of pressure from outside. We footballers also put a lot of pressure on ourselves.
“We have high expectations and everyone wants to take new steps and be ‘the main man’. Especially me who didn’t quite get it. So, it was tough, but that’s in the past now.
“Palace suits me very well. It’s a style of play that suits me well. We have players who can put me in good situations, so I think it’s going to be very good.”
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