Dream Kalimuendo replacement: Nottingham Forest open talks to sign £40m star
Nottingham Forest are a club in a real precarious situation at present, with the situation on and off the pitch ultimately being at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Sean Dyche’s men have now lost four games in a row in the Premier League, which has seen the side drop to just one place and four points above the relegation zone.
However, it was announced on Monday morning that Evangelos Marinakis and the board had submitted plans to go ahead with the proposed expansion at the City Ground – taking the capacity to 50,000.
Such a move will likely cost the owner hundreds of millions of pounds, but it could be a mammoth financial mistake if the club drop down into the second tier at the end of the campaign.
As a result, the recruitment team have wasted no time in identifying potential options to strengthen the manager’s first-team squad for the immediate and long-term future.
Nottingham Forest make approach to sign PL talisman
The centre forward position at Nottingham Forest is one that has troubled various managers this campaign, with last season’s top scorer, Chris Wood, massively struggling with injuries.
Igor Jesus has been the go-to man of late, but whilst his all-round play has been impressive, he’s only managed to net one goal in England’s top-flight to date.
Taiwo Awoniyi has also failed to deliver when called upon, whilst summer addition Arnaud Kalimuendo looks set to join German side Eintracht Frankfurt on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
As a result, the recruitment team have been on the hunt for a new talisman this January, leading to rumours over a potential move to land Wolves star Jorgen Strand Larsen.
According to TEAMtalk, the Reds have already reached out to Rob Edwards’ side over a deal to land the Norwegian international who’s only scored one league goal to date.
The report also states that Newcastle United are still monitoring the situation, despite spending upwards of £110m on the services of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa last summer.
However, any deal is set to be a club-record for Forest, with his current employers currently demanding a fee in the region of £40m for his services this winter.
Why Strand Larsen would be the perfect Kalimuendo replacement
Back in the summer window, many Forest fans thought they had their long-term centre-forward in the form of Kalimuendo, but his spell in the East Midlands has been one of limited opportunities.
The Frenchman talisman joined from Rennes for a fee in the region of £26m, but he’s failed to start a single Premier League game to date – only featuring for a total of 89 minutes.
His only starts for the Reds have come in the Europa League, where the 23-year-old has been in impressive form, as seen by his tally of two goals in three starts.
However, the approval of his loan-to-buy move to join Frankfurt has frustrated a lot of fans, especially when players like Awoniyi remain on the books despite failing to score in the league in exactly 12 months.
When the move does go through, Dyche will desperately desire another option to fill the void and catapult the club away from a relegation battle in the months ahead.
Strand Larsen would prove to be an expensive addition, but one that would hand the side the needed goal point and clinical option that has been lacking in recent months.
When comparing his stats to those of Kalimuendo, the Wolves star had dominated in numerous key areas, showcasing why he would be the perfect replacement for the Frenchman.
Strand Larsen, who netted 14 league goals last season, has achieved a higher shot on target accuracy rate than Kalimuendo in the Premier League this campaign.
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His higher tally of goals scored, coupled with his accuracy in front of goal, showcase his clinical edge – which could hand Dyche the talisman he’s been lacking since taking the reins.
How Strand Larsen & Kalimuendo compare in the PL (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Strand Larsen
Kalimuendo
Games played
18
9
Goals scored
1
0
Shot on target accuracy
30%
25%
Passes into the final third
1.2
0.9
Take-on success rate
40%
5%
Aerials won
3.8
2.6
Duels won
5.8
3.4
Fouls won
1.6
0.8
Stats via FBref
The Norwegian has also completed more passes into the final third, whilst also completing more of the take-ons he’s attempted – subsequently highlighting his all-round quality in attacking areas.
However, the biggest selling point is no doubt his aerial prowess, with his tally of 3.8 aerials won per 90 allowing him to seamlessly fit into the manager’s long-ball system.
Strand Larsen’s physical nature has seen him draw more fouls than Kalimuendo, which could allow for threatening opportunities in front of goal, whilst also offering an outlet when leading games in their hunt for survival.
£40m would be yet another statement of intent from Marinakis, with a marquee centre-forward addition desperately needed to help beat the drop come the end of May.
Whilst the departure of Kalimuendo is certainly an unpopular one, the arrival of Strand Larsen would certainly soften the blow and hand the side a more suited option to the manager’s tactic.
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ByDominic Lund