Aston Villa and Wolves take 'concrete' transfer steps to sign €25m Celta Vigo star

Aston Villa and Wolves are both interested in signing Celta Vigo forward Jorgen Strand Larsen, according to reports in Spain.

According to a Spanish journalist both Wolves and Villa have 'serious' interest in Strand Larsen. The two clubs are said to have taken 'concrete' steps to sign him but there is also interest from West Ham, who have scouted him.

Several teams from Italy have also taken a liking to the Norwegian striker, but the Premier League is the most likely destination. The journalist added that the next few days are going to be 'very important' ahead of a potential move.

The 24-year-old has just come off a campaign that saw him score 13 goals in 39 games, whilst he also supplied three goals to his teammates. He is predominantly a centre forward but is capable of playing on the left wing. Strand Larsen has also been capped 14 times for the Norway national team and has scored three goals. He was prolific for their under-21s team, netting 11 times in 16 games.

His ability to play on the wing is impressive given that he stands at six foot and three inches but he is mobile and Wolves have been in the market for a new striker since Gary O'Neil's arrival last August, and Strand Larsen could be someone that suits them nicely. Villa have Ollie Watkins, Jhon Duran and Cameron Archer as forward options, and so the Norweigan would have the more difficult task of displacing Watkins, who has just come off a career best season.

Well respected website TransferMarkt rates the forward at €25m, having boosted his value up by €5m from March. His value when he joined in September 2022 was €11m and so in the two years he's spent at the club, his value has risen by €14m.