LEEDS GO ALL-IN FOR THEIR MAN — TONIGHT’S MATCH COULD HAVE A SAY
The Whites began their January activity by bringing in Brighton and Hove Albion winger Facundo Buonanotte on a loan deal, a move designed to inject creativity and attacking energy into the squad for the second half of the season. Alongside that incoming addition, Leeds also sanctioned a couple of departures, with Jack Harrison heading out on loan to Fiorentina and highly-rated young forward Harry Gray joining Rotherham United to gain valuable senior experience.
However, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds’ priority for the closing stages of the window is very clear: a centre-forward. Reports in recent days have suggested that interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jørgen Strand Larsen has intensified, with Leeds stepping up their pursuit of the Norway international as they look to bolster their attacking options.
Strand Larsen enjoyed an outstanding campaign last season, registering 14 goals and four assists across 35 Premier League appearances form that did not go unnoticed. Newcastle United were among the clubs monitoring his progress during the summer and are understood to have submitted a substantial offer, which was ultimately rejected by Wolves’ hierarchy at Molineux.
This season, however, the 24-year-old has found consistency harder to come by, managing just a single league goal so far. Despite that dip in output, Leeds remain convinced of his quality and potential impact. An initial bid from the Whites was turned down last week, but crucially, that setback has not cooled their interest.
Speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast, YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth offered valuable insight into the current state of negotiations, stressing that transfer dealings are rarely as straightforward as fans might assume.
“Leeds have made a bid,” Smyth explained. “I think sometimes people imagine it’s just a case of sending over a number, getting a flat ‘no’ back, and then slightly increasing it. In reality, transfers are long conversations. They involve constant dialogue, back-and-forth discussions, and patience and that’s exactly where Leeds are right now.
“They’re still actively pursuing him, still talking to Wolves, and still very much involved in negotiations. Just because Wolves didn’t immediately accept the bid doesn’t mean Leeds are backing away. If they wanted to walk away, or if they’d already put their absolute best offer on the table and been firmly rejected, we’d likely be hearing a very different message.”
Smyth also questioned Wolves’ public stance that they are content to keep Strand Larsen until the summer, suggesting the situation may be more complicated beneath the surface.
“I’m not entirely buying the idea that Wolves are perfectly happy to sit tight,” he added. “Player trading after relegation is notoriously difficult, and while there’s been no confirmation of a relegation clause in his contract, it wouldn’t be surprising if one existed. For a highly-rated player one who Newcastle wanted last summer it would make sense for there to be provisions that significantly reduce his value if Wolves were to go down.”
With that in mind, Leeds appear confident there is still room to manoeuvre, and with time ticking down in the window, discussions are expected to continue. Whether those talks ultimately lead to a breakthrough remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Leeds United have not walked away, and the pursuit of Jørgen Strand Larsen is very much alive.
Leeds United made a determined move in December to sign Martin Baturina, but the side were firmly rebuffed by Como, who made it clear the midfielder is not for sale under any circumstances. Sources close to the Italian club insist Baturina is viewed as untouchable, with no intention of opening negotiations despite growing interest from abroad.
The decision comes as little surprise given the player’s recent performances. Baturina has hit a rich vein of form for Como, playing a decisive role in their attacking play and emerging as one of the standout performers in the squad. Over his last four appearances, the Croatian has directly contributed to five goals, scoring three times and providing two assists numbers that underline his influence and momentum.
His creativity, intelligence in possession, and ability to dictate the tempo of games have made him central to Como’s plans, particularly as the club pushes towards its objectives for the season. With his confidence soaring and his impact increasing week by week, Como see no benefit in weakening their squad midway through the campaign.
For Leeds, the rejection represents a significant setback in their search for midfield reinforcements, while for Como, it reinforces their commitment to building around one of their most important players as Baturina continues to thrive.
