MIDDLESBROUGH target Jorgen Strand Larsen has publicly declared his desire ‘take new steps’ in his career with Boro desperate to bring striking reinforcements to the club.  

The 22-year-old Norwegian striker has been the subject of bids from both Boro and Italian side Bologna but according to Groningen’s technical director Mark Jan Fladderus, the Teessiders have offered a higher sum to the Dutch club. 

However, they are standing firm on their insistence to keep Larsen at the club after his 14 goal haul last season and are prepared to offer him a new contract to persuade him to stay. His existing deal comes to an end in the summer of 2024. 

The suggestion is Boro are prepared to move on to other targets if Groningen’s stance doesn’t change but Larsen’s public comments offer fresh hope that the striker’s desire to move on may well force the hand of his club.  

Larsen scored on the opening game of the Eredivisie earlier today during a 2-2 draw with FC Volendam but speaking to OOG Groningen after the game, Larsen was quizzed over whether he would have liked have scored that goal in Italy or England. He responded: “It would be nice to score at both places, of course. As a striker and a player and after I was good last season, you always want to take new steps but I am not forcing anything. I have to see what the transfer window will bring.” 

For the young striker, who is a full international for Norway, he believes that his potential can go beyond the levels of the Eredivisie as he holds a burning desire to fulfil potential in his career going forward.  

When asked directly whether he would like to make the next step, he replied: “Yeah. But at the same time I don’t want to leave Groningen. I wish they were playing in the Champions League now so I didn’t have to leave the club but that’s not the case. 

“In the big picture, Groningen is not big enough to fulfil your potential but for me it is a very big club. I come from a little Norway and it was a dream step for me to go here and take my potential even more but I am 22 now. I feel like I have done a lot last season and I feel like this is a good time to make a step but I am not going to anything.  

“If the right moment comes with the right club, I will probably be ready and if the club agrees it of course! If that doesn’t come then I am not going to bury myself to the ground. We will stay positive and try to score even more goals this season.” 

It seems as though he has mapped out the steps of his career at an early age as he eyes up playing at the very top of the game.  

He continued: “If I was building up my steps when I was in Norway, the dream world will be to go to Eredivisie and then to a smaller team in the top five or seven leagues. Then continue in that way until I end up in Liverpool. But that is a dream way.  

“That is my favourite club but I wouldn’t be crying if I ended up in Manchester United. Because I had a good season last year, I am going to say I think it’s possible. Sooner or later, you are going to have to take your steps at a time and see how it goes.” 

Elsewhere, Boro are expected to complete the signing of RCD Mallorca striker Matthew Hoppe this week.