The £40m Midnight Raid: Why Nottingham Forest Are “Well Placed” to Snatch Jørgen Strand Larsen

​The January 2026 transfer window has suddenly exploded into life in the East Midlands. As of January 15, 2026, Nottingham Forest have moved from cautious observers to aggressive frontrunners in a deal that could redefine their season. The news, broken by Ciaran Morrison and echoed by major outlets like The Telegraph, suggests that Forest are now “well placed” to complete a record-breaking swoop for Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jørgen Strand Larsen.

​With the City Ground faithful demanding reinforcements and manager Sean Dyche desperate for a focal point, this isn’t just a transfer—it’s a rescue mission.

​1. The Emergency: Why Now?

​The timing of this pursuit is fueled by a perfect storm of squad attrition. Nottingham Forest entered the winter window in a precarious 17th place, seven points clear of the drop but lacking any real offensive bite.

• ​The Chris Wood Blow: The club’s primary target man, Chris Wood, has been ruled out for several months following major knee surgery.
• ​The Kalimuendo Exit: In a move that surprised many, Dyche sanctioned the loan departure of Arnaud Kalimuendo to Eintracht Frankfurt earlier this month, leaving the squad dangerously thin up top.
• ​The Goal Drought: With Igor Jesus struggling to adapt (1 goal in 20 games) and Taiwo Awoniyi searching for fitness, Forest have managed only 21 goals in 21 matches.

​2. The Profile: Why Strand Larsen is a “Dyche Dream”

​At 25 years old and standing 6ft 4in, Jørgen Strand Larsen is the archetypal modern target man. Dyche has long admired the Norwegian for his ability to “bully” center-backs while maintaining the technical quality to link play—a trait that was on full display when he netted a clinical FA Cup hat-trick against Shrewsbury just days ago.

Attribute	Jørgen Strand Larsen
Height	193 cm (6’4″)
2024/25 PL Goals	14
Style	High-pressing, dominant in the air, clinical in the “six-yard box.”
Contract Status	Refused extension at Wolves (Expires 2027).

3. The “Record-Breaking” Financials

​This deal won’t come cheap. Wolves, currently sitting bottom of the Premier League, are reluctant to sell to a relegation rival but need to fund their own “squad reset” under Rob Edwards.

• ​The Asking Price: Wolves are holding firm at £40 million.
• ​The Forest History: If completed, this would surpass the £37.5m paid for Omari Hutchinson last summer, making Strand Larsen the most expensive player in Nottingham Forest’s 160-year history.
• ​The “Marinakis” Factor: Owner Evangelos Marinakis has reportedly given the green light to “spend whatever it takes” to ensure the club avoids a late-season collapse.

​4. The Competition: A Four-Way Battle

​While Ciaran Morrison reports that Forest are “well placed,” they aren’t the only ones at the table. As of this morning, West Ham United, Newcastle, and Crystal Palace are all keeping a close eye on the situation.

​However, Forest have the “starting XI” advantage. While Newcastle see him as backup to Alexander Isak, Forest can offer him the #9 shirt and the chance to be the undisputed hero of the City Ground.

​5. The “Plan B” Scenarios

​Despite the optimism around Strand Larsen, Forest are keeping their options open. If Wolves refuse to budge on the £40m fee, the club has identified three other “Dyche-style” alternatives:

1. ​Mehdi Taremi (Olympiacos): The 33-year-old is seen as the most “realistic” move due to the shared ownership between the two clubs.
2. ​Artem Dovbyk (Roma): Currently on loan but available if the right bid arrives.
3. ​Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahce): A powerful aerial threat currently being chased by Everton.

​The Final Verdict

​The next 48 hours are critical. If Forest can finalize terms with Wolves, Jørgen Strand Larsen could be in the squad for their next Premier League fixture. For a team that has looked toothless in the final third, the Norwegian “Giant” might just be the piece of the puzzle that turns a relegation scrap into a mid-table finish.