Nottingham Forest have now made contact over a deal for a “phenomenal” striker, who is likely to leave his club in the January transfer window.

Forest searching for new striker after Chris Wood blow

Chris Wood is yet to make an appearance since the arrival of Sean Dyche back in October, and having now undergone surgery, the centre-forward is set for an extended spell on the treatment table.

Writing on Instagram, Wood said: “The Christmas I didn’t expect, you can never know what football throws at you,

“From the highs of last season to now the battles and the lows personally of this season. You have to be ready for anything.

“Truly gutting and frustrating that I’ll be on the sideline for another period of time. It’s what’s needed to come back stronger and better to help my team-mates do the job needed in the Premier League and in Europe.”

As such, Dyche is left with the likes of Igor Jesus and Arnaud Kalimuendo to choose from at striker, but the latter could be leaving the City Ground this month, as concrete talks have now been held with Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.

Consequently, the manager could be left a little light on options at striker, meaning he may need to bring in a new option, and Nottingham Forest have now made contact over a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers star Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Strand Larsen is now deemed likely to exit Molineux this month, given that the Old Gold are almost certainly going to be relegated from the Premier League, and Forest have now lodged an initial enquiry.

A deal could be on the expensive side, however, with it being revealed Wolves are planning to hold out for a fee of £40m, and forking out the full asking price would make the Norwegian the most expensive signing in Nottingham Forest’s history.

"Phenomenal" Strand Larsen needs to leave Wolves

The 25-year-old isn’t having the best of campaigns, having only scored one Premier League goal, but it must be noted he is playing in an extremely poor side, with Wolves collecting just three points all season.

Related Nottingham Forest pursuing move for British ace who "looks like Ronaldo"

Forest are looking to strengthen their defence in the upcoming transfer window.

Posts ByDominic Lund

Previously, the 24-time Norway international has proven he is capable of delivering in the Premier League, chipping in with 14 goals and four assists in 35 matches last season.

Subscribe for transfer insights on Forest’s striker hunt Get deeper context on transfer sagas by subscribing to the newsletter: coverage and analysis of moves like Forest’s pursuit of Jorgen Strand Larsen, with contextual breakdowns, market perspective, and what a move would mean for the clubs involved.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The Wolves striker also played a key role in his side avoiding relegation last season, as noted by former manager Vitor Pereira, who said back in March: “Jorgen was phenomenal out there. His ability to find the net at critical moments has revitalized our team and given us a renewed sense of hope as we fight to stay in the Premier League.”

Strand Larsen definitely needs to leave Wolves, as his previous exploits suggest he is too good to be playing in the Championship, and the centre-forward could help fire Nottingham Forest to safety.

[ad_pod ]

Tottenham Hotspur are unwilling to match Leeds United’s valuation for Jack Clarke, per the Yorkshire Evening Post.

What’s the word?

Clarke is, the report states, being monitored by Spurs ahead of a potential summer move.

The 18-year-old made his breakthrough at Elland Road under Marcelo Bielsa in 2018/19 and went on to make 25 appearances in all competitions.

He scored two goals and laid on two assists as Leeds narrowly missed out on promotion.

But the report states that Spurs are not currently likely to match the Whites’ asking price for the teenager as they look to complete their first signing since January 2018.

The Daily Mirror claim that the Championship club are seeking to recoup £20m.

A fearful start

This does not bode at all well for Spurs.

Of all the deals that have been mooted – including those for elite midfielders Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso, of Lyon and Real Betis respectively – Clarke appeared to be the most doable.

But if chairman Daniel Levy isn’t going to pay up for him, that spells trouble for the rest of the window.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Ndombele would cost over £70m while Lo Celso has an £88.9m release clause.

If a deal for Clarke at £20m is too much of a stretch for Levy, hopes won’t be raised at the club regarding any other moves.

As a result, fans shouldn’t hold their breath when it comes to transfer announcements.

The date is 19 January 2022 at the King Power Stadium and the scene is set on a blisteringly cold night in the Midlands for the revival of one of Tottenham’s largely forgotten men.

Steven Bergwijn was slid through deliciously by Harry Kane after Youri Tielemans was robbed of possession and through he went, rounding Kasper Schmeichel before finding the net via the post.

It was a dramatic late goal as Spurs defeated Leicester 3-2 in the early weeks of the new year and it looked like a new beginning for the Dutchman too.

However, since penning terms with the north Londoners back in January 2020, the forward has failed to elevate his career with moments like his last gasp strike against Brendan Rodgers’ men coming few and far between.

We have only seen rare glimpses of the Netherlands international’s dangerous qualities and on that evidence, it is hard to argue that he has ever been worth the money.

Daniel Levy shipped out a seismic £27m for his services two years ago and in the 109 weeks he has been in English football, all you can say is that Bergwijn has been draining the owner’s bank account for a considerable period of time.

When you consider his weekly salary of £73k and his annual wages of £3.8m, he has set Levy back around £35m, a staggering amount of money for a player who hasn’t provided Tottenham with much on the field of play.

The 24-year-old is still young and possesses clear potential but he has found the net on just seven occasions in Spurs colours, meaning he’s cost them £5m per goal. Furthermore, his tally of only ten assists since signing means he has cost the Lilywhites £3.5m per assist.

Those numbers make for some pretty grim reading and with that in mind, it’s hardly a surprise that he’s attracted some negative critics.

Only a few months ago, club insider John Wenham blasted the Dutch attacker for being “terrible all season.” What makes things even worse is that the current manager doesn’t rate him either.

Journalist Mike Verweij claimed on De Telegraaf’s football podcast (via Sport Witness): “Conte is also the one who opposed Bergwijn’s transfer from PSV to Italy. Inter were an interested club at the time, but Conte did not need him. Conte has only said two words to Bergwijn in two weeks at Tottenham Hotspur.”

That is a damning indictment of the player’s ability and attitude, meaning that this is a transfer that will only get worse with time.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Of course, Conte’s desperate situation at the club could hand Bergwijn a lifeline if the boss does pack his bags and leave Spurs, but it would be a surprise if any new manager could extract more than the likes of Jose Mourinho and their current Italian head coach.

To put it simply; this is a transfer that hasn’t panned out well.

AND in other news, Spurs still paying price for Levy’s 2017 blunder over £53m “animal”, Conte isn’t happy…

Crystal Palace have the chance to progress through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup tonight if they manage to beat Championship side Stoke City at Selhurst Park.

In terms of which players Eagles boss Patrick Vieira will have at his disposal for the match, the Frenchman revealed in his pre-match press conference that right-back Joel Ward will still not be available to play after missing their three previous league games through injury.

With that in mind, here’s how we feel Palace will line up tonight, with five changes anticipated from the team which started against Burnley on Saturday.

After recovering from an injury and being an unused substitute for the 1-1 draw against Burnley, we think Vicente Guaita will start in goal, with Jack Butland dropping out.

In defence, we think the only change Vieira will make from the back four which started against Sean Dyche’s side will see Martin Kelly come in to replace Nathaniel Clyne at right-back, after the 31-year-old made his only senior appearance this season in their previous FA Cup game against Hartlepool United last month.

In midfield, we expect a couple of changes taking place. Will Hughes and Cheikhou Kouyate coming in for Luka Milivojevic – who is currently picking up £80k-per-week according to Salary Sport but lasted only an hour on Saturday before being substituted – and James McArthur. That leaves Conor Gallagher as the only midfielder to keep his place in the team from the weekend.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

For the front three, we can see Eberechi Eze getting a chance to show what he can do after being in the starting XI for both of Palace’s previous FA Cup games in the hope that he can get his first goal or assist of the season. He replaces Jeffrey Schlupp on the left, with Michael Olise starting on the right and Wilfried Zaha through the middle.

In other news: Palace dealt injury setback ahead of Stoke clash, Vieira will be gutted

Leeds United must make a ruthless call on Tyler Roberts this summer amid Gabby Agbonlahor’s verdict on the forward.

What’s the story?

Amid The Athletic’s Phil Hay revealing that the Wales international will be out for the rest of the season through injury, former Premier League striker Agbonlahor has now claimed that it could be the end for his career at Elland Road.

He said: “First of all, it’s a shame with his injury. But he’s not a Premier League player. Sometimes when you come to the big league you find your level and the Premier League is not his level. I’m sure next season he’ll be in the Championship.”

Radrizzani won’t be happy

Towards the end of the January transfer window, Hay mooted the possibility of a loan move, suggesting that it would take him “out of the firing line”.

It was telling that towards the end of Marcelo Bielsa’s reignat the club, the £7.2m-rated Roberts saw his game-time for the Yorkshire club become increasingly limited, playing just over 100 minutes of Premier League football in the past seven top-flight games.

Earning a reported £45k-a-week, the forward just hasn’t shown anywhere near the kind of form that would justify the Whites paying him that sort of money.

To put that into context, Joe Gelhardt earns less than half that amount but has proven in the little game-time he’s been given that he can be a real threat for Leeds going forward.

With just nine goals and ten assists in a whopping 108 games of football for the club, Roberts’ record is dismal to say the least.

Dubbed as “shocking” by Agbonlahor, it’s high-time the Whites moved on from the under-par Welshman.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Given Andrea Radrizzani will be keeping an even closer eye on the finances this summer depending on whether Leeds stay in the Premier League or not, getting rid of Roberts’ contract would save some a decent chunk of money.

Keeping someone as poor as the 23-year-old at Elland Road surely won’t keep him happy.

Meanwhile, Tottenham have been handed a boost in their chase for this star…

Gio van Bronckhorst’s Rangers sealed their place in the last eight of the Europa League in spite of their 2-1 loss on Thursday night.

The Gers failed to react from a short corner as Glen Kamara allowed his man to bring the ball down 10 yards out and fire it past Allan McGregor after Alfredo Morelos missed the initial header.

Ryan Kent made the score on the night 1-1 and 4-1 overall as he raced away on the counter-attack and saw his deflected effort nestle in the back of the net early on in the second half.

Allan McGregor was forced to make a string of superb saves to keep Red Star Belgrade at bay but he could do little about a stoppage-time penalty – given away by Kamara – winning the game for the Serbian outfit on the night.

Forget Kamara

Whilst Kamara will be disappointed in his part in both of Red Star’s goals, another player almost cost van Bronckhorst Europa League qualification – Joe Aribo.

The ex-Charlton man endured a rough evening as he struggled throughout the match and he was lucky not to cost the Gers their three-goal lead.

He was consistently losing physical duels and failing to do his job defensively, leading to a number of chances for Red Star that McGregor was forced to brilliantly save time and again.

Off the ball, he left plenty to be desired. As per SofaScore, he lost a whopping 16 individual battles out of the 22 he contested in 68 minutes on the pitch. This shows that the lightweight was abysmal out of possession as he was constantly bullied by the opposition and that allowed them to dominate his side and continually create openings in the final third.

On the ball, he made little impact. Via SofaScore, he completed just 58% of his passes and failed 100% of his attempted dribbles. He also ended the game without a single key pass or successful cross, which shows that he was unable to stamp his mark in the final third.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Therefore, he let van Bronckhorst down badly on the night and should consider himself thankful that McGregor saved him from being the villain of the piece alongside Kamara.

Hopefully, he will be able to shake off this performance and return back to his best against Dundee FC at the weekend and for whoever the Gers draw in the quarter-finals of the competition.

AND in other news, Sold at £4m, then became the “best forward ever”: Rangers had a howler on 274-goal gem…

Alasdair Gold has delivered a transfer update on a potential Tottenham swoop for Juventus star Paulo Dybala this summer.

What’s the story?

The Argentina international’s contract with the Turin club comes to an end at the climax of this season, and speculation has unsurprisingly arisen about where his future destination could be.

During a Q&A for football.london, Gold revealed: “The whole Dybala thing is an interesting one. It feels very 2019! The fact that he’s expected to be a free agent means you can’t rule anything out, but it feels like a slightly more awkward fit for Spurs in this moment than it did three years ago.

“There’s no doubting he’s talented and still scores goals, with 13 this season from 29 matches – eight in Serie A – but I’m not sure Fabio Paratici is as desperate to sign him as is being reported in some quarters.

“If Spurs do end up moving for him, it might well be because Antonio Conte has requested them to, although I’m not entirely whether Conte’s physical demands during and around matches will suit Dybala either with his last couple of years’ worth of injury problems.”

A statement from Spurs

While Dybala’s injury history is certainly worrisome, that doesn’t detract from the fact that, when he’s fit and on form, he remains an enviable talent who would certainly walk into most teams in Europe.

With 113 goals and 48 assists in 283 games for Juventus, the Argentine has performed at the very highest stage for a number of years, delivering multiple league titles and also competing for the Champions League.

Indeed, Gold himself has said that signing Dybala would be an “eye-catching” signing for the north Londoners, but questioned whether the 28-year-old would be the right fit for Conte’s tactical demands.

On a free transfer, though, it’s difficult to argue against certainly exploring a potential move for the Argentina international, and maybe it could help him rediscover his form and fitness away from Turin.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Whatever the case, it would certainly be a very intriguing and exciting move for Spurs to make.

AND in other news – Left in 2019, now worth £50m: Levy suffered shocking Spurs howler over “insane” star

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly now eyeing a move for potential free agent Sam Johnstone in the summer.

The Lowdown: Out of contract

Johnstone’s contract at West Brom is set to expire this summer, with no signs of a renewal at the moment.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-news-copy/” title=”Tottenham latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Given that he is currently rated at £7.2m, and is an established England international, only missing out of Gareth Southgate’s latest Three Lions squad through injury, whichever club is able to sign him would be getting a real bargain on their hands.

The Latest: Tottenham looking

As per The Daily Telegraph, Spurs are among a number of teams that are now looking at signing Johnstone on a free transfer.

Pierluigi Gollini is not expected to stay in the North London after his loan spell from Atalanta ends, and so it is likely that the hierarchy will be looking to sign another goalkeeper this summer.

The Verdict: Sign

If the Lilywhites can get Johnstone on a free, then it is surely a deal worth doing.

Dubbed ‘world class’ by Wolves legend Steve Bull, and ‘unreal’ by former Premier League ‘keeper Paddy Kenny, he has certainly received rave reviews, and the fact that he gets picked by England from the second tier shows his credentials.

Assuming that Gollini does leave, Johnstone would be a very capable understudy to captain Hugo Lloris, should he choose to accept that position, and could even surpass the 35-year-old as the number one in the future.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Interestingly, the six-foot-four colossus shares the same agent as Ryan Sessegnon, and so he could help him secure the move.

In other news, find out who THFC are now fighting Arsenal to sign here!

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has now dropped his verdict on the rumours linking Newcastle United with a shock move for PSG superstar Neymar.

The Lowdown: Neymar reports

As per reports from Spain, the St. James’ Park faithful are one of three clubs who want to sign Neymar in the summer, along with both Manchester City and FC Barcelona.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-4/” title=”Newcastle news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

PSG are reportedly open to letting him go, following their exit from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid, and there are very few clubs who could handle the financial burden of such a move.

The Latest: O’Rourke reveal

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist O’Rourke has revealed that Neymar would consider a move to the North East club, but only once the project ‘gets off the ground’:

“Neymar, it’s a bit of a pipe dream that one.

“I don’t think Newcastle will be looking to do that one, or that Neymar would be considering wanting to join Newcastle.

“He’d wait on the project to get off the ground really [before considering it].”

The Verdict: Exciting

The fact that the Tyneside outfit are even being linked with a player like Neymar is exciting in itself.

Yes, it may take a few years before the long-term project starts to really kick in, but the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are still performing well into their 30s, and there is no reason why the Brazilian superstar cannot do the same.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

He has already had such a decorated career, and may now want to test himself in the Premier League, should the Champions League trophy ultimately desert him in France.

Nonetheless, even if not this summer, this is a deal that the ambitious new owners could one day have in the pipeline.

In other news, find out which ‘explosive’ 6 ft 4 ‘phenomenon’ NUFC now ‘would like’ to sign here!

For much of the summer, it was all about Alexander Isak at Liverpool. Then, as the deadline approached, the next saga ramped up regarding Marc Guehi.

The England centre-back, having agonisingly missed out on a last-gasp Anfield switch, might still get his wish in 2026, although attention has shifted to yet another high-profile Premier League target of late.

With Mohamed Salah’s much-debated outburst having thrown his Liverpool future into doubt, the suggestion is that Arne Slot and co could turn to Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo in the New Year, with there an argument that the Ghanaian is needed even if the Egyptian genius doesn’t depart next month.

The word on the street is that Semenyo – who has a £65m release clause – has decided that he wants to make the move to Merseyside, be it in January or next summer.

Regardless of if or when the 25-year-old does arrive, such a deal appears a necessity, with every senior winger under threat right now back at Anfield.

Why Semenyo is now the 'best winger in the country'

It wasn’t too long ago that Liverpool’s wide men looked to be the envy of everyone, with Slot overseeing arguably Salah’s best season last time out, after the 33-year-old racked up 57 goals and assists across all competitions.

The nailed-on starter on the right flank, the Dutchman also conjured up consistency from both Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz off the left – albeit while operating centrally too – with the pair scoring 18 and 17 goals apiece in all, respectively.

With Diaz allowed to depart for Bayern Munich, and Salah having fallen from favour, however, the flanks have become a real problem in 2025/26, with Semenyo now taking on the mantle as arguably the “best winger in the country”, in the view of ex-England international, Chris Waddle.

That status is certainly justified considering that the ex-Bristol City man is currently the joint third-highest scorer in the top-flight right now, beaten by only two players, both out-and-out strikers, in the form of Igor Thiago (11) and Erling Haaland (17).

When throwing assists into the mix too, the Cherries star also ranks fourth for total goal involvements, again only edged out by Thiago, Haaland and Manchester United midfielder, Bruno Fernandes.

Lethal from either flank and on either foot, having scored four with his right and three with his left this season, as per Sofascore, the £65m man looks like the complete package, thus representing a real upgrade on Slot’s current options.

Liverpool star could be the casualty of Semenyo's signing

Following an almost £450m spend in the summer, albeit after a muted 2024, it remains to be seen whether the Reds will be able to invest significantly heading into 2026, not least with other areas of the pitch also in need of reinforcement.

Of course, funds could be made available if Salah were to depart, although those days of a potential £200m bid arriving appear to be long gone, amid suggestions the ageing star could even wish to see his contract terminated by mutual agreement.

With £13m signing Federico Chiesa also unlikely to fetch a significant sum, having started just one league game for the club to date, it might be Gakpo whom FSG opt to cash in on, should it come to that.

Now, as already stated, the Netherlands international was central to last season’s title charge, although his tally of 15 goals and assists in the league was actually still bettered by Semenyo, who chalked up 16.

Equally, while the latter man has kicked on with seven goals and four assists in 2025/26, Gakpo – now hampered by injury – appears to have regressed somewhat, registering just four goals and three assists.

With just one goal and one assist in his last seven league games, the 26-year-old is yet to prove he can truly hit those real heights at Premier League level, with last season the only time he has reached double figures for league goals since joining back in January 2023.

Subscribe to the newsletter for expert transfer insight Want deeper context on transfer stories and squad strategy? Subscribing to the newsletter unlocks focused analysis of moves like Semenyo-to-Liverpool speculation, player profiles and how signings reshape team options — essential reading for transfer-savvy fans. Subscribe Subscribe to the newsletter for expert transfer insight Want deeper context on transfer stories and squad strategy? Subscribing to the newsletter unlocks focused analysis of moves like Semenyo-to-Liverpool speculation, player profiles and how signings reshape team options — essential reading for transfer-savvy fans.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Even from the start, there has been concern over his lack of blistering pace and physicality, with club legend Jamie Carragher left “baffled” by what he viewed as “not a typical Klopp signing”.

Gakpo’s Premier League record

Season

Games

Goals (Assists)

25/26

15

4 (3)

24/25

35

10 (5)

23/24

35

8 (5)

22/23

21

7 (3)

Total

106

29 (16)

Stats via Transfermarkt

Such fears have been somewhat eased since then, although there is the sense that Semenyo would fit the Liverpool mould more suitably, considering his blistering pace both in and out of possession.

Despite Gakpo having recently signed a new deal at Anfield, there were claims made over the summer that FSG would consider a sale if a suitable offer were to arrive, amid interest from Bayern.

Perhaps, should such interest be revived again in the new year, the Reds might this time decide to cash in on the £61m-rated dud, thus helping Slot to transition toward an even more exciting style, spearheaded by the electric Semenyo.

Related Dream Guehi alternative: Liverpool "in the market" to sign £50m "beast"

Liverpool are desperate to strengthen their flagging backline in the January transfer market.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair