FC Groningen coach Frank Wormuth understands why Jorgen Strand Larsen would be keen on a move to Middlesbrough following an £8.5 million bid from the Championship outfit, speaking to Voetbal Primeur.
It’s not really Chris Wilder’s style to speak about footballers who are not his own.
But after the Eredivisie outfit went public with Boro’s interest in Strand Larsen this week, the Middlesbrough boss obviously felt there was no point hiding in the shadows any longer. Not when this deal is being played out in the open.
“We have put a bid in for Larsen, that’s correct,” Wilder tells the Northern Echo ahead of Saturday’s trip to QPR. “I’m a straight batter but I can’t fib.”
Middlesbrough want Jorgen Strand Larsen from Groningen
Strand Larsen, a 6ft 4ins targetman who’s rangy frame belies his technical ability, scored 17 goals for Groningen last season, including a razor-sharp finish against Ajax and a breath-taking overhead kick that has to be seen to be believed (skip to one minute 55 if you want to check it out for yourselves).
According to TV2, Middlesbrogugh are offering £8.5 million for the one-time Norway international. And while Groningen coach Wormuth wants him to stay, he can ‘understand’ why Strand Larsen would have a difficult decision to make.
“He can still learn at FC Groningen. I think he can become even more consistent before he makes the step to a big club,” Wormuth emphasises.
“He is also smart enough to think that. On the other hand, I also understand that he is thinking about it the money that he can earn at a big club. That side of the story is, of course, there too.”
“He has a contract and has told me that he will give everything for Groningen as long as he is a Groningen player.”
Groningen’s technical director, Mark-Jan Fledderus, insists that the club do not plan to sell Strand Larsen unless they receive an offer they simply cannot refuse. Middlesbrough, he adds, have offered ‘a lot more’ than Serie A outfit Bologna.
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