Gary O’Neil fulfilled his wish of signing a striker at Wolves as the Old Gold recruited Jorgen Strand Larsen.
It’s been a strong start to the summer transfer market and admittedly, one that not many Wolves fans would have expected.
After the lows of the 2023 window, Gary O’Neil has finally been handed the opportunity to bolster his squad ahead of next season.
The Englishman has already welcomed four players, including striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, whose arrival will please the manager as he craved a number nine last term.
Gary O’Neil told Jorgen Strand Larsen offers Wolves an upgrade in attack
The need for a striker has been a theme at Wolves over the years, with Raul Jimenez the last reliable centre-forward at the club.
Though O’Neil had the likes of Fabio Silva and Sasa Kalajdzic available to him last season, the duo were sent on loan, with the manager now informed he has signed an upgrade in the position.
Discussing Strand Larsen with Molineux News, HITC journalist Graeme Bailey backed the Wolves signing to ‘hit the ground running’ in the Premier League.
“He’s a very good English-type centre-forward, I think he’s different to Hwang and Cunha, he’s different to what Wolves have got. I think he’ll be an upgrade on Kalajdzic.
“I think he will hit the ground running, he’s a very good player, he’s a very good signing. He gives Wolves good options.”
The deal for the 24-year-old was completed efficiently at Molineux, contrasting to the struggles of last summer, where Julen Lopetegui was denied the opportunity to sign one primary target.
Comparison made between Strand Larsen and former Wolves target Viktor Gyokeres
Last summer, Wolves were linked to Viktor Gyokeres, a player that the club failed to strike a deal for, and a player that went on to score 43 goals in 2023/24.
While missing out on Gyokeres was agonising, O’Neil could now have Wolves’ answer to the Sweden international.
When discussing players who are of a similar profile to Wolves’ new boy Strand Larsen, the former transfer target was raised by Bailey.
“I think it’s a good comparison [Strand Larsen and Gyokeres], they are similar, in the way they play.
“Is he as good as Gyokeres? Not sure yet, but who knows? I think he’s got a lot of ability, he’s a good player. He could make that impact.”
If the £25m arrival is to make anywhere near the impact that Gyokeres did at Sporting CP in 2023/24, Wolves fans will be delighted.
O’Neil’s new number nine netted 13 goals in La Liga last season, showing his ability to operate as a reliable centre-forward, hinting at what the Old Gold could have next campaign.
It’s an exciting signing for Wolves, who have finally acquired a goalscorer to integrate into the free-flowing attack that O’Neil has uncovered at Molineux.
