Jorgen Strand Larsen: Crystal Palace’s reduced £48m bid for Wolves striker accepted
The transfer situation surrounding Jean-Philippe Mateta and Crystal Palace has taken a significant turn following the anticipated arrival of Strand Larsen. Mateta, a 28-year-old striker, is eager to leave Selhurst Park for AC Milan. Palace has been reluctant to part with the France international without securing a replacement. However, with Larsen’s imminent signing to Palace, it is believed that Mateta’s transfer to Milan will progress more rapidly.
Crystal Palace is open to selling Mateta this month, aiming to receive a fee in the range of £35 million to £40 million. Discussions between the clubs reveal that Milan is interested in signing Mateta but prefers to pay around £30 million, plus additional add-ons. Recently, Nottingham Forest had a £35 million bid for Mateta turned down by Palace, underscoring the club’s high valuation of the player. Mateta has made his desire to join Milan clear, indicating that he seeks a new challenge in Serie A.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner commented on the club’s transfer activity after a recent 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest. He expressed concern about the tight timeline of the transfer window, stating: “I expect either Mateta or someone else here as a striker.” Glasner highlighted the team’s efforts to bring in a replacement, emphasizing the potential risks involved: if Palace sold Mateta without securing another striker, it would not bode well for their transfer dealings.
In parallel, Wolves are actively pursuing a new striker to replace Larsen, who is moving to Crystal Palace. They are reportedly close to finalizing a deal for Southampton’s Adam Armstrong for an initial fee of £7 million. Armstrong has had a productive season in the Championship, netting 11 goals for Southampton and totaling 43 goals since his transfer from Blackburn in 2021. This move reflects Wolves’ strategic focus as they prepare for the possibility of relegation to the Championship.
The current transfer dynamics highlight the urgency and complexities within the football market as clubs navigate player transfers. While Palace aims to solidify their squad with financial returns from Mateta’s potential sale, Milan’s interest exemplifies the competitive nature of European football transfers. The next few days are critical as the transfer window draws to a close, with all parties keen to finalize transactions that could significantly impact their respective seasons.
