Aston Villa are looking for a striker this summer to help them take some of the goalscoring burden off Ollie Watkins.
Ollie Watkins was immense for Aston Villa last season as he netted 27 goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions but looked fatigued towards the end of an intense campaign.
With unproven 20-year-old striker Jhon Duran the only other first-team centre-forward it was difficult for manager Unai Emery to manage the England striker’s minutes and give him any much-needed rest.
With Duran likely to secure a £40 million move to Chelsea this summer, Villa’s need for a new centre-forward has become even more pressing and it now looks as though they are making moves to sign a La Liga striker.
Aston Villa ‘moving’ for Celta Vigo striker Jørgen Strand Larsen
Villa secured a spot in the Champions League with a fourth place Premier League finish next season which should see them attract a higher calibre of player this summer.
Now that they appear to be about to ensure they comply with Premier League PSR ahead of the 30th June deadline due to Tim Iroegbunam, Omari Kellyman and Douglas Luiz leaving, Emery can now focus on incomings.
It looks as though Emery and president of footballing operations Monchi could raid a league they know all too well in a move for Celta Vigo striker Jørgen Strand Larsen.
According to Revelo journalist Matteo Moretto on ‘X’: ‘In the last few hours, the Premier League is moving for Celta Vigo’s Norwegian striker Jørgen Strand Larsen.
The clubs that have taken concrete steps are Wolverhampton and Aston Villa’.
Moretto also credits West Ham United with interest but less so than that of Wolves and Villa and Italian clubs are keen but unlikely be able to match the offers of the Premier League sides.
Larsen an alternative to Aston Villa target Maximilian Beier
Larsen is a 14-cap Norway international who made the move to Celta Vigo in 2022 after a spell at Dutch side Groningen.
At 24, he has time to develop but is also mature enough to be capable of helping relieve some of the pressure on Watkins.
Villa have been linked with a move for striker Maximilian Beier in recent days but it is highly unlikely they will sign both Larsen and Beier so it is expected to be one or the other.
Beier is currently on International duty with Germany at Euro 2024 and it is unlikely his future will be decided until his efforts to help win a home tournament are over.
Beier is 21 and perhaps closer in profile to Watkins, whereas Larsen offers a slightly different option and his ability to play wide could also make him appealing to Emery.
With 13 league goals and three assists for a very average Celta Vigo side it is clear Larsen knows where the goal is and he would probably be cheaper than Beier who has a £27 million release clause.
Therefore, the fact Villa are considering the Norwegian as an alternative to Beier makes a lot of sense.
The post Aston Villa take 'concrete steps' to sign Maximilian Beier alternative but Wolves also want him appeared first on Aston Villa News.