In a dramatic twist on transfer deadline day, Newcastle United launched a last-gasp attempt to prise away Wolverhampton Wanderers' new signing, Norwegian striker Jørgen Strand Larsen.
The Magpies submitted an audacious loan bid for the 24-year-old forward, who had only just completed a permanent move to Molineux from Spanish side Celta Vigo. The proposed deal would have included a substantial obligation for Newcastle to make the transfer permanent next summer.
A Deal Too Late
However, the approach from Tyneside arrived too late in the window to be feasibly executed. With the complexities of finalising a deal of that nature and the logistical challenges of a medical assessment, there was insufficient time to push the transfer through before the 11 pm deadline.
This failed move leaves Newcastle manager Eddie Howe still searching for offensive reinforcements, a quest that ultimately proved unsuccessful as the window slammed shut.
O'Neil's Relief and Wolves' Stance
For Wolves boss Gary O'Neil, the collapse of Newcastle's approach will come as a significant relief. Strand Larsen is a pivotal part of his plans for the season, and losing him so abruptly after his arrival would have been a major setback.
The article suggests that even if Newcastle's offer had arrived with more time to spare, Wolves would have been highly reluctant to entertain the idea. The club views the Norwegian international as a key investment for their immediate future, not an asset to be loaned out before he's even had a chance to settle.
This late intrigue adds another layer of drama to what was a frantic end to the summer transfer window, with Strand Larsen now set to focus entirely on his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
