Newcastle United travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers this afternoon and will come up against a player they almost signed in the summer.

The Magpies had a bid as high as £55million rejected for Norwegian striker Jorgen Strand Larsen before signing Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa from Stuttgart and Brentford, respectively, for a combined £124m.

Strand Larsen wanted to join Newcastle but ended up penning a new contract at Wolves in September. However, the 25-year-old’s future remains up in the air.

Heading into the January transfer window, West Ham United had reportedly been weighing up a bid but since cooling their interest, Leeds United have been linked with a move. The Athletic reported on Friday that Leeds have made an enquiry.

The uncertainty is also fuelled by Wolves’ league position, with relegation from the Premier League looking a certainty as it stands. Rob Edwards’ side only recently recorded their first league win of the campaign and although they are unbeaten in three matches, they remain seven points adrift.

Eddie Howe on former Newcastle United target Jorgen Strand Larsen

Strand Larsen hasn’t started any of Wolves’ last four league games but is in line for a recall to the starting XI after scoring a hat-trick in last weekend’s 6-1 win over League Two side Shrewsbury Town in the third round of the FA Cup.

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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has highlighted the threats Strand Larsen poses, however refused to speak about the club’s previous attempts to sign him.

Howe said: “I think he brings a lot of threats, I think he’s a mobile, strong runner, I think he’s got a really good eye for goal and he’s a very good finisher, so if he plays, we’re going to have to be very aware of what he can bring and how to combat those strengths.

“I don’t think it’s worth going back over the summer and what happened regarding him, but he’s a player that we respect and we’re going to have to defend well against him.”

Newcastle United not underestimating Wolves

On Wolves in general, Howe said: “Definitely think they’re in a better place. I think Rob’s a very good manager. He’s come in and I think he’s given them a clear way of playing, a clear structure.

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“I think they’re playing with freedom actually. I think they’re playing some really good football.

“Statistically, they’ve been a bit of an outlier this year. Their form has not been statistically as bad as the results they’ve got and that’s been all season. So I think they’ve been unlucky not to have more points.

“I think from our perspective, we don’t underestimate anybody. We respect everyone. We need to make sure that we’re mentally in our best place because as I said, this is such an important game and we can’t take anybody lightly.”