3 reasons why Middlesbrough must continue to push for 14-goal target despite transfer setback | OneFootball

Whilst Marcus Forss was a welcome addition, Boro are still short on options up top, and that lack of a clinical finisher played a part as the Teesside outfit were held by West Brom on the opening day.

The sales of Djed Spence and Marcus Tavernier should give Boro some freedom in the market, and it has been reported that Boro have had two offers rejected by FC Groningen for Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Whether they go back in with another substantial offer for the 22-year-old remains to be seen, but here we outline THREE reasons why they should continue to push to sign Strand Larsen…

He is proven at a high level

The Norwegian scored 14 goals in 32 games in the Dutch top-flight last season, whilst he managed nine the year before, so this is a player with a good record, particularly when you consider his age.

Of course, moving to the Championship is a different challenge entirely, but there should be a confidence that Strand Larsen will be a success as he has good pedigree.

12 of these 25 Middlesbrough facts are fake – Can you identify them?

1 of 25

The club were founded in 1886

True False

He is a long-term investment

Following on from that, at 22, Strand Larsen is a player who can become an important player at Boro for the next decade and beyond.

Plus, he is someone who could move for a bigger fee in the future if he is a success at the Riverside Stadium.

So, he ticks the boxes in that he is both an addition with the long-term in mind, as well as having the ability to make an instant impact.

It goes without saying that Boro need at least two strikers, but an exciting prospect of Strand Larsen is that he should suit Wilder’s style.

At 6’4″, he is the physical presence that the side needs to lead the line and he could be the focal point that allows the other forward and the midfielders to excel.