EXCLUSIVE: Nottingham Forest still exploring move for “phenomenal” star who Wood 2.0

It’s fair to say this campaign has unfolded very differently from what most Nottingham Forest supporters would have anticipated at the outset.

Rather than pushing towards the Champions League places, the Tricky Trees have found themselves dragged into a tense fight to preserve their Premier League status, now under the guidance of boyhood Forest fan Sean Dyche.

While Forest are not currently among the bookmakers’ leading relegation candidates, West Ham United’s victory last weekend has tightened the picture and underlined how quickly the situation can shift.

That sense of urgency appears to have filtered into the club’s transfer strategy. If reports are accurate, Forest are keen to strengthen their squad before the window closes and may be lining up a forward who could have a similar impact to Chris Wood.

Forest searching for their next Wood

With the threat of relegation looming large, it’s no surprise that Forest have been busy behind the scenes during the January window.

One early piece of business has already been lined up, with the club agreeing a loan move for Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca that includes an option to buy.

Beyond that, Forest have been linked with several other intriguing names, including experienced centre-forward Mehdi Taremi and left-back Mathias Olivera.

However, another attacking option has once again emerged as a potential target—one who could realistically become Forest’s next version of Wood.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Nottingham Forest are among the clubs showing interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jørgen Strand Larsen.

While Leeds United are said to have already submitted a bid, they are far from alone in the race.

Forest, West Ham United and Crystal Palace are all reportedly monitoring the situation and weighing up moves for the Norwegian forward.

Securing his signature would not be straightforward. Wolves are believed to be demanding at least £40 million before they would even consider selling, making any deal both complex and expensive.

Even so, given Strand Larsen’s qualities and proven Premier League output, it is a transfer Forest would be wise to pursue—particularly if they see him as a potential successor to Wood.

Why Strand Larsen could mirror Wood’s impact

Although Chris Wood and Jørgen Strand Larsen are different players in several respects, there are clear parallels between them that make the comparison understandable.

For a start, signing Strand Larsen would follow Forest’s recent preference for recruiting strikers with Premier League experience, rather than taking a gamble on an untested option from abroad.

It would also echo the club’s willingness to back a centre-forward who may not currently be in sparkling form but has already demonstrated his ability at this level.

That approach paid off handsomely with Wood, who eventually rediscovered his scoring touch at the City Ground.

Forest would be hoping for a similar resurgence from Strand Larsen, who has already shown he can thrive in England’s top flight.

Looking back to last season underlines his credentials. In 35 Premier League appearances, totalling 2,603 minutes, the striker—once described as “phenomenal” by former Wolves manager Vitor Pereira—scored 14 goals and provided four assists.

That equates to a goal contribution roughly every 1.94 matches, or one every 144.6 minutes.

Those figures become even more impressive when you consider they were achieved in a Wolves side that finished 16th.

By comparison, Wood enjoyed an outstanding campaign, finishing with 20 goals and three assists in 36 league games, playing 2,979 minutes.

His goal involvement came every 1.56 matches, or every 129.5 minutes, albeit in a Forest team that finished seventh.

While Strand Larsen may not represent the most glamorous or eye-catching signing, goals are what Forest need most right now.

Despite his struggles this season at Wolves, his performances last year proved he can deliver in the Premier League.

For that reason, Forest would be well advised to push hard for his signature. If the deal can be done, Strand Larsen could yet become the Tricky Trees’ next Chris Wood—and a crucial figure in their fight for survival.