Crystal Palace

Alex Pewter
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

As is often the case with Crystal Palace, now that the window is closed, we wonder quite how we got here.

Two of Palace's directors own and operate NFL teams that, during drafts, run war rooms with dozens of names on their boards, looking to add to rosters of more than 50 players. By contrast, you do wonder if their Premier League team even jots the squad down in a notepad during transfer windows.

Factually, the club has spent a considerable amount of money during this window. Yet this appeared to be an approach devoid of strategy and if fans are angry after a turbulent month, you can't blame them.

The team scrambled for attacking options, almost adding Dwight McNeil in the dying moments of the window. The centre-back role vacated by Marc Guehi was seemingly ignored or given lower priority. The back-up wing-back spot, exposed by Daniel Munoz's injury in December, was not addressed.

Considering the catalyst for Oliver Glasner's outburst was the loss of his captain, that position is clearly a vital part of the team. The arrival of a central midfielder could have freed Jefferson Lerma to move to centre-back as a short-term fix, but again, this was not achieved.

Chadi Riad may be the cliched "new signing" on return from his long-term injury, but relying on both him and Jaydee Canvot with their combined five starts in the Premier League appears risky for a team often labelled as risk-averse. Should either of the remaining senior defenders get injured, the line-up will be notably weaker in that area than the one that entered the window.

It feels as though we will need more time and space to unpick the Jean-Philippe Mateta situation and all its complexity. Is he just poorly advised or simply naive in trying to force this winter move away from south London in a World Cup year? Perhaps both.

The team broke their transfer record twice and brought in three attackers. The mammoth fee for Jorgen Strand Larsen brings a lot of pressure with him and, as this team is desperate for goals, each player will have to deliver.

Find more from Alex Pewter at FYP podcast, external

Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid could all be rivals for the £80m signing of Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton, 21, in the summer. (Mirror), external

Manchester United could make a move for long-term striker target Jean-Philippe Mateta, 28, in the summer after the Frenchman's proposed deadline-day transfer from Crystal Palace to AC Milan fell through. (Mirror), external

Everton will be open to new offers for English winger Dwight McNeil, 26, after his deadline-day move to Crystal Palace collapsed. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, PA Media

Sources have indicated to BBC Sport that Crystal Palace were up front with AC Milan over Jean-Philippe Mateta's knee issues before the deal was called off.

They said Palace sent the Italian club full medical reports towards the end of last week in preparation for the move being concluded.

But, according to sources in Italy, Milan's reservations were over Mateta's right knee. The 28-year-old's meniscus had ruptured in 2019 when playing for Mainz and he had surgery that kept him out for around six months.

In their two examinations of Mateta, the Serie A club came to the conclusion that the striker would likely require an operation to cure the problem, described as an "inflammation" of the knee.

It is Milan's view that the issue cannot resolved by therapy and load management.

The prospect of surgery does appear the common sense approach here.

It will allow the player to continue his career free of the pain he has struggled with in recent weeks. Likewise, it would help ease any concerns his future suitors may have over his fitness before any move away from Selhurst Park.

It would also suit Palace to a point as it would likely eradicate the possibility of his current knee problems arising as an obstacle towards any future sale.

Mateta's current deal expires in 2027 when Palace would lose him for free, so the prospect of selling the player this summer will certainly be considered.

But with the chance of playing in his first World Cup looming large, any surgery for Mateta may have implications towards his selection for the tournament.

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Jorgen Strand Larsen's Premier League career so far is a tale of two halves. Crystal Palace fans will be hoping a club-record fee of £48m has bought them the right one.

In his debut season at Wolves, on loan from Celta Vigo, Strand Larsen scored 14 league goals - a tally second only to Matheus Cunha as Vitor Pereira steered the Molineux outfit to safety.

That success triggered a £23m permanent transfer last summer, but the Norway striker - who then signed an improved contract just five weeks into this season - has struggled to rekindle his form with Wolves rooted to the bottom of the table since early September.

The move to Selhurst Park will not immediately excuse Strand Larsen from the relegation scrap, with Palace winless in nine league games and nine points above the drop zone in 15th.

But he could be instated as Oliver Glasner's main man in attack from the off, with uncertainty over wantaway striker Jean-Philippe Mateta's role for the rest of the season and Eddie Nketiah out with a thigh injury.

Strand Larsen's shot conversion rate since the start of last season ranks among the league's top 10, which will be welcome news for Palace fans frustrated by Mateta's profligacy in front of goal.

Glasner's side face arch-rivals Brighton on Sunday. A debut goal against them would immediately endear Strand Larsen, who turns 26 on Friday, to the Palace faithful.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Rarely has a club record signing been met with such scepticism.

Crystal Palace have spent £48m on Jorgen Strand Larsen yet the jury is out. The Norway international has scored just once in the Premier League season after all.

Of course, Palace are banking on last season's Strand Larsen arriving, his 14 goals last season pushed Champions League Newcastle into trying to sign him last summer.

But there are supporters who still need to be convinced. Palace are in malaise.

Michael Olise is gone. Eze is gone. Guehi is gone. Glasner, their manager, is leaving at the end of the season – if not before. The team is disassembling at a rate fans are apprehensive about.

Last season's euphoric FA Cup triumph seems a distant memory; the club's spiral towards the relegation zone is in stark contrast to the jubilation of nine months ago.

Whether Strand Larsen is the man to inject some positivity back into Selhurst Park remains to be seen.

The addition of Brennan Johnson will provide further options for an attack that has misfired in recent weeks, but the late saga around Dwight McNeil will have done little to ease concern.

Uncertainty reigns at Palace - can the new signings provide some direction?

• Read more from Sami on Palace

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Jorgen Strand Larsen, who signed for Crystal Palace on deadline day in a club-record deal worth up to £48m, and what it means for Jean Philippe-Mateta, who remains at the club after his expected move away fell through on deadline day.

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: I hope we start with Strand Larsen on Sunday as Mateta has missed too many chances over the past two months, and he may have lost the crowd. We have to look at the positives as we saw last season he could score goals, but a replacement for super Marc Guehi should have been fundamental. Why is this money available now instead of the summer when Ousmane Diomande from Sporting was available for £40m and was an ideal replacement?

Sean: So now we have Mateta and Strand Larsen? I seem to remember Oliver Glasner once saying that his favourite formation is 4-4-2, so maybe it's time to try it out?

Jerry: Poor signing for that amount of money.

Al: A new striker was needed as Mateta is firing blanks and Eddie Nketiah is constantly injured. With Mateta remaining, the arrival of Strand Larsen means competition. We messed up in the window by not acquiring a centre-back and midfielder, which questions our sporting director's ability.

Bill: I just hope our fans shut up about the board not backing the manager. They've smashed the transfer record twice in one window. It remains to be seen whether the buys prove to be prudent, though.

Shaz: Mateta can still be reintegrated into the team but he needs to get his head together and find his form again. A lot of people will think the fee for Strand Larsen is high but I don't think it's that bad for a Premier League striker in January. I know a lot of people have said about only one league goal this season but he has been in what has been a very poor Wolves side. He scored 14 non-penalty goals last season which is pretty good going. Give him a little bit of time and he will show us he is worth the £48m.

Mike: Steve Parish has left everything until the last minute yet again. We have probably overpaid for the two players coming in and we failed to strengthen in defence, which was also badly needed. I'm afraid we are in the fight at the bottom of the table and may well go down.

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

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Crystal Palace are the biggest expected goals (xG) underperformers in Europe's top five leagues this season.

Based on the number and quality of chances they have had, a team historically would have scored 13 more goals than Palace have in their 24 Premier League games (25 goals vs an xG of 38.0).

Jean-Philippe Mateta has been the chief culprit for Palace's scoring struggles, scoring four goals fewer than expected.

Mateta is the biggest xG underperformer in the Premier League this season - and only three players have been more wasteful in Europe's top five leagues.

While only six players have scored more than his eight goals in the Premier League this season, only Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago have a higher xG than Mateta (12.0).

Owning both Jorgen Strand Larsen and Jean-Philippe Mateta will bolster Crystal Palace's chance of avoiding relegation, says former Premier League striker Chris Sutton.

The Eagles signed Strand Larsen for £48m on Monday, while Mateta's move to AC Milan collapsed after his medical.

"With what has gone on at Palace - selling Marc Guehi, Oliver Glasner making it clear he won't be there next season - I thought they could have got sucked into a relegation battle," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"So, actually having the two of them isn't a bad thing.

"I just wonder if the Palace fans will take to Mateta coming back. They know he wanted away.

"Strand Larsen had a really good season for Wolves last season, but he hasn't torn up any trees this time round.

"It's a bit of a mess at Palace at this moment in time, but watching them against Nottingham Forest, they were crying out for a Mateta-type.

"This season, it's not a bad thing if both stay, it just depends on how Mateta's attitude is if he comes back into the fold and whether he throws his toys out of the pram.

"Financially it may not work for them, but I think they have a better chance of staying up with both of them."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Crystal Palace have done the following business on deadline day:

• 18:00: Winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has joined Stoke City on loan until the end of the season.

• 18:59: The Eagles have completed the signing of striker Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves in a club record deal worth up to £48m.

• 20:30: Attacking midfielder Hidolo Mustapha has joined West Brom on loan until the end of the season.

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Striker Jorgen Strand Larsen says he is here to "bring energy and goals" after completing a club-record move to Crystal Palace.

The 25-year-old has signed for the Eagles from fellow Premier League side Wolves on a four-and-a-half year contract for a fee of up to £48m.

Strand Larsen scored 20 goals in 64 appearances for Wolves - netting 14 times last season.

Speaking to club media, the Norway international said: "I'm really excited to come to Crystal Palace. It's been something I've wanted to do for a long time now.

"I'm here to bring energy and goals, and to try to do my best for the club."

Chairman Steve Parish added: "We're delighted that Jorgen has chosen to continue his impressive journey with us and look forward to seeing him in action at Selhurst Park.

"I'm sure he will prove himself a valuable asset for years to come."

Strand Larsen's arrival comes after the news that fellow forward Jean-Philippe Mateta's move to AC Milan was called off because of issues with his medical.

How do you feel about Strand Larsen's arrival for a record fee? And where does that leave Mateta? Can he still be reintegrated into the team?

Get in touch with your views here

Watch Total Sport's transfer deadline day special for London, discussing the business done by Arsenal, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham, plus the capital's EFL sides.

The show, which runs from 18:00-20:00 GMT, will offer the latest updates and analysis on the done and rumoured deals.

Watch it here

Eagles fan Matt Watts told BBC Sport he wouldn't be surprised if Jean-Philippe Mateta goes out on loan until the end of the season if his move to AC Milan falls through.

Although Mateta's future looks uncertain, Crystal Palace are still pursuing Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen.

You can watch BBC Sport's Transfer Deadline Day coverage here

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta's move to AC Milan is in serious doubt over issues with his medical, according to multiple BBC Sport sources.

The 28-year-old France forward had additional medical tests on Monday but the Italian side are set to pull out of the £30m deal.

Mateta, who has been nursing a knee issue, had an initial medical examination on Sunday.

The Eagles have agreed a £48m deal for Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen and had granted Mateta permission to have a medical in London before flying to Milan.

Palace still intend to try to sign Strand Larsen.

Wolves, meanwhile, were moving to replace Strand Larsen and are close to reaching a deal for Southampton striker Adam Armstrong for an initial £7m.

There is growing confidence the move will be done with the Premiership's bottom club Wolves in danger of relegation to the Championship.

Image source, Getty Images

Jean-Philippe Mateta has been playing this season through a knee injury and that looks to be the issue that has put his move to AC Milan in serious doubt.

The problem itself has not stopped Mateta from playing this season.

The 28-year-old has played every game of Crystal Palace's 2025-26 Premier League season so far, aside from last weekend's 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, when manager Oliver Glasner claimed he was left out because his "head was not in the right place".

Mateta's injury also has not stopped him from finding the back of the net this season. The Frenchman has scored eight Premier League goals for Palace, with his most recent strike coming against Fulham on New Year's Day.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace are showing late interest in a move for Everton winger Dwight McNeil.

McNeil has found himself out of favour at Hill Dickinson Stadium and Palace are working on a deal to sign the attacker.

The 26-year-old has one assist in 14 Premier League appearances this season and Everton value him at about £20m.

Image source, Getty Images

It could be a busy day for Crystal Palace who could make two to three signings.

The Eagles are progressing with a deal for Jorgen Strand Larsen, who is the likely replacement for AC Milan-bound Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Palace are also on the look out for a centre-back who would fill the place in the squad left by Marc Guehi.

However, it is doubtful they would get a player to match the ability or pedigree of Guehi, considering he is an England international and has joined title challengers Manchester City.

Palace also have young centre-backs Chadi Riad and Jaydee Canvot - and although they are both raw, the club will not want to block their pathway either.

The Eagles are going to be open to the market and a third player could be brought in if there was the right situation, but as with everything on deadline day, things could change.

We asked you what still needs to happen before the transfer window closes at 19:00 GMT on Monday.

Here are some of your comments:

Glen: We definitely need to have a very good look at the youth players first before going mad on new players. The squad is a little light in all positions but full-backs and central midfield need looking at. Obviously, strikers as the two we have are just not right for us.

Seb: Disastrous window. At the end of December we were in poor form with the hope of strengthening in January, preparing for Guehi to leave in the summer. Now he's gone with no replacement, we're out of the FA Cup, the manager has announced he's leaving - reducing any incentive for top players to sign - and it looks like Mateta's off too. Johnson has made a slow start and while he's got potential, we're so thinly spread that we need results immediately. Barring a miracle on deadline day, we're going to be weaker coming out of January than going into it, which is very much not what we need.

Dave: Simple. We need a centre-forward who can consistently put the ball in the back of the net! I think Nketiah is very lively, skilful and surprisingly strong for his size. Would be interesting to pair him with a ruthless finisher. A replacement for Guehi or, failing that, Lacroix to step up and fill his boots leading the backline.

Isaac: Desperately need another centre-back - but who's available right now? There was talk last summer of signing Jeremy Jacquet but it seems he is off to Liverpool or Chelsea now. A Munoz back-up is still needed, even though he is fit again. It feels like it's been in talks for a while, but Sacha Boey would be perfect.

Sam: In serious need of centre-back cover following Guehi's exit. All the focus appears to be on adding to our frontline (Guessand, Johnson... Strand Larsen?). We can't play out rest of the season with Lerma in a back three. Either the formation changes (unlikely under Glasner) or an experienced pair of hands comes in.

Mike: Mateta has to go, whether or not a replacement is found. If his head was not in the right space to play against Forest, it certainly won't be if he doesn't get the move he wants.

Gavin: Frustrating window for all manner of reasons. Definitely still need a frontline striker. Strand Larsen is overpriced but at this stage it seems we are running out of options. Still no sign of a Guehi replacement. Maybe we will hit the jackpot on Monday- but I'm not holding my breath!

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Today is the final chance of the season for your Premier League team to do transfer business.

The window closes at 19:00 GMT, meaning teams - and fans - can avoid the usual late-night transfer scramble.

It has already been a busy window - for some teams anyway - but whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

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Danny Murphy and Troy Deeney join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's four Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Aston Villa 0-1 Brentford

• Manchester United 3-2 Fulham

• Nottingham Forest 1-1 Crystal Palace

• Tottenham 2-2 Manchester City