Aston Villa have reportedly stepped up their interest in Celta Vigo striker Jorgen Strand Larsen as we look to bolster our attacking options this summer.
The 24-year-old scored 13 goals and provided three assists in 37 La Liga appearances last season, while he has three goals in 14 caps for Norway thus far too.
READ MORE: Villa reject offer from PL rival for key man, no interest in selling
At 6ft3, Larsen could provide a different dynamic in attack to Ollie Watkins if he were to join, and so that’s perhaps something that Unai Emery and Villa are considering ahead of next season in order to give us a different attacking threat in the final third.
According to Relevo’s Matteo Moretto, Villa have taken ‘concrete steps’ in our pursuit of Larsen, but we may well face competition from Wolves and West Ham as well as from clubs in Italy.
Time will tell just how serious our touted interest is and if we’re ready to fend off the other clubs to land the Norwegian international’s signature, while it also remains to be seen if this potential move is being made with the idea that Jhon Duran will move on this summer.
Speculation has heavily linked the Colombian ace with a departure in the coming weeks, and while it could be argued that we must add depth up front regardless of his future, particularly if he does move on, that will leave a void that has to be filled in this transfer window.
We’ll see if an exit for Duran materialises and if Larsen is the preferred option to replace him, but if he’s a player that Emery, Monchi and the Villa recruitment team have identified as being a potentially great fit for our squad, it’s hoped that a possible pursuit ends successfully for us.
It’s certainly vital that we diversify our attacking options to give Emery different tactical solutions across multiple fronts, and so with Larsen’s aerial threat and ability to be more of a focal up top and poacher in the box, he could be key to not only switching things if Watkins isn’t having a positive game, but also to play them as a pair up top as a partnership when needed.
