Jean-Philippe Mateta will be reintegrated into Crystal Palace's squad after his deadline-day move to Milan collapsed, but he faces competition from new club-record signing Jørgen Strand Larsen. The Norway striker's move from Wolves was confirmed just before the 7pm deadline on Monday for an initial £43m plus £5m in bonuses.
Mateta's proposed transfer to Milan fell through after a second medical examination revealed concerns over a knee injury that has been managed carefully by Palace this season. The club does not believe it requires surgery. Mateta was left out of Palace's game against Nottingham Forest on Sunday after manager Oliver Glasner said he was 'not at his best' due to uncertainty over his future.
Mateta now faces a challenge to win back supporters who booed him off after his last appearance against Chelsea two weeks ago. Palace also failed in a late bid to sign Everton's Dwight McNeil on loan with an obligation to buy for £20m, and Chelsea rejected a loan offer for Josh Acheampong.
The arrival of Strand Larsen, who has scored only once in the Premier League this season, takes Palace's spending this month to more than £90m. After Palace's draw against Forest made it 12 games without a win, Glasner criticised the club's hierarchy for their approach to transfer windows, saying: 'I would prefer not always talking the day before the deadline.'
