Jorgen

Wolves are open to selling striker Jorgen Strand Larsen this month, amid interest from Nottingham Forest.

The Premier League’s bottom side recognise allowing the 25-year-old to leave may be best for all parties, if the right deal could be found.

That would include a switch to the City Ground, despite Forest being one of the teams also fighting against the drop from the Premier League.

Forest – missing last season’s 20-goal top scorer Chris Wood – are one of several clubs to have looked at Strand Larsen as an option.

Wood, who has been out with a knee injury since October, had surgery just before Christmas, with a comeback date yet to be determined.

West Ham‘s interest in Strand Larsen has cooled after being asked for £40m, and they have bought Valentin Castellanos and Pablo Felipe instead. Newcastle‘s priorities are now elsewhere after they failed with a £55m bid in the summer and signed Nick Woltemade.

Sean Dyche’s Forest are seven points clear of the relegation zone – and 15 above Wolves – after Tuesday’s 2-1 win at West Ham.

Arnaud Kalimuendo, Forest’s £26m summer signing from Rennes, joined Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt on loan with an option to buy on Wednesday, leaving Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi as the club’s only strikers.

Strand Larsen has been targeted by unhappy Wolves fans this season, having scored just one Premier League goal.

It is part of the reason why Wolves are willing to allow the Norway international to leave, even though he only made his initial loan move from Celta Vigo permanent last July for £23m.

Yet, Strand Larsen is well-respected behind the scenes, where he is seen as a leader. He earned internal credit for the professional way he handled Newcastle‘s interest and bids.

He was rewarded with a five-year contract in September after a promising debut season, scoring 14 goals and helping Wolves finish 16th.

Wolves‘ likely relegation is a factor in Strand Larsen’s future – they only secured their first Premier League win of the season last Saturday, at the 20th attempt, as they beat West Ham 3-0.

Strand Larsen would not be expected to remain at Molineux in the Championship and selling him in January would generate a higher fee than the summer.

West Ham‘s interest in Norway forward Jorgen Strand Larsen has cooled after discovering Wolves want £40m for the 25-year-old.

The Hammers are committed to bolstering Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad with striking reinforcements.

Larsen was at the top of their list of potential signings and Wolves boss Rob Edwards did not close the door on the Norway forward leaving Molineux next month following the 1-1 draw at Manchester United.

However, West Ham think the price Wolves are wanting for Strand Larsen, who only signed a new contract to 2030 in September, is too high. They are looking at alternatives, although it cannot be ruled out that their interest might be revived.

Newcastle had bids of £50m and £55m turned down in the summer, although since then Wolves have embarked on a calamitous season that looks certain to end in relegation back to the Championship.

“We will make the right call on every individual,” said Edwards.

“Only time will tell. It will be a club decision and I am sure there will be movement in and out because we want to make an impact in the month.”

West Ham, who drew 2-2 with Brighton at the London Stadium to close the gap on fourth-from-bottom Nottingham Forest to four points, are now looking elsewhere, with Crystal Palace front-man Eddie Nketiah believed to be of interest.

Nketiah has scored four goals in 19 appearances for Palace so far this season.

However, the 26-year-old former Arsenal player has only started twice in the Premier League, most recently in the 4-1 defeat at Leeds on 20 December.