Crystal Palace are officially talking to Wolverhampton Wanderers about signing striker Jorgen Strand Larsen. They have identified him as the primary candidate to succeed Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Crystal Palace target Wolves striker Strand Larsen as Mateta replacement
Reports from Pete O’Rourke in the Transfer Insider podcast reveal that the Eagles want to secure the Norwegian international before the February deadline. Mateta recently told the club he wants to leave Selhurst Park. This request spurred Palace’s recruitment team into action.
Matt Hobbs drives this interest. The club appointed him as Crystal Palace’s sporting director in October 2025. Hobbs knows exactly what Strand Larsen can do. He originally brought the forward to Molineux during his time at Wolves.
This history gives Palace a leg up in negotiations. Hobbs rates the 25-year-old highly. The South London club ideally want to keep Mateta until the summer. However, the Frenchman’s push for a move has forced Palace’s hand.
Competition for Strand Larsen remains fierce. Nottingham Forest, Everton, and Leeds United are all watching the situation. Wolves have already turned down an initial £33 million proposal from Leeds. Wolves currently sit at the bottom of the Premier League table.
They value their star at £40 million, despite his solitary goal in 20 appearances this season. Palace appear willing to pay up. This move ensures the club get the physical focal point his system requires.
“The other name that I’ve heard mentioned at Crystal Palace is Jorgen Strand Larsen, obviously from Wolves.
“There’s a million clubs being linked with him, Forest, Everton, Leeds.
“Palace would be prepared to sort of join them in that race and see if they could get that deal done.
“There are admirers of him at Palace and Matt Hobbs, the sporting director, obviously worked with him at Wolves as well.
“So that could be one Palace look at if Mateta leaves, which obviously as you said they don’t really want to do in January if they can help it.”
Can Leeds United hijack the deal?
Leeds United still have a real chance to beat Palace to Strand Larsen’s signature. To do so, they must be aggressive with their cash. Wolves rejected Leeds’ first £33 million bid. However, the West Midlands club are struggling for money and desperately need to reinvest in the squad.
These factors make them more likely to accept a higher cash-up-front offer. Leeds sit safely in 16th place. They are eight points clear of the drop. This offers Strand Larsen Premier League stability that Wolves cannot guarantee.
If the Leeds board approves a record-breaking £40 million fee immediately, they could bypass Palace’s negotiations. Matt Hobbs’ personal connection helps Palace. Nevertheless, money often dictates the final outcome in January windows.
Also, one thing to be considered is Glasner will leave at the end of the season. So, Leeds United can use this to drive home the point that there will be stability for the forward going into the 2026-27 season. Farke would want him at Elland Road, and he will be present at the touchline in the upcoming season (barring some really bad performance from the club but that’s true almost anywhere) unlike Crystal Palace. Player power is important in today’s age and Leeds United can use it to sell the vision of Leeds United to Larsen over what’s happening currently at Palace.
