Crystal Palace have successfully negotiated a significant £48 million deal to bring striker Jørgen Strand Larsen to Selhurst Park from Wolverhampton Wanderers, marking a major coup in the January transfer window. The south London club, who recently won the FA Cup, have reignited their pursuit of the Norwegian international after initially appearing to cool their interest.
Palace's Striking Reinforcement
The agreement sees Palace pay an initial £43 million, with a further £5 million in performance-related add-ons attached to the deal. Strand Larsen, who only joined Wolves permanently from Celta Vigo last summer for £23 million, is expected to undergo a medical on Sunday to finalise the switch. The 25-year-old has scored one Premier League goal this season and was an unused substitute during Wolves's 2-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.
This substantial investment may facilitate another high-profile departure from Selhurst Park. France forward Jean-Philippe Mateta has informed Palace of his desire to leave, with AC Milan in advanced talks over a potential £30 million transfer for the 28-year-old striker.
Wolves' Transfer Activity
Wolverhampton Wanderers, having accepted Palace's bid, are now actively pursuing their own reinforcements before Monday's transfer deadline. The Midlands club are targeting Southampton striker Adam Armstrong and Marseille midfielder Angel Gomes as they look to strengthen their squad for the second half of the season.
Liverpool's Defensive Pursuit
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Arne Slot is keen to bolster his defensive options and has identified versatile Netherlands international Lutsharel Geertruida as a primary target. The 23-year-old, currently on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig, has made 17 appearances for the Black Cats this season.
Slot previously worked with Geertruida at Feyenoord, where the pair won the Eredivisie title in 2023. The defender's ability to operate across the back line and as a defensive midfielder makes him particularly attractive to Liverpool, who are currently dealing with injuries to Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, and Joe Gomez.
Sunderland would require compensation for any deal to proceed and would ideally need to secure a replacement before sanctioning the transfer. Liverpool are also monitoring Rennes centre-back Jérémy Jacquet, though Chelsea have expressed interest and the French club prefer a summer transfer.
Other Transfer Developments
In separate transfer news, Nottingham Forest have completed the permanent signing of goalkeeper Stefan Ortega from Manchester City. The 33-year-old German, who made 56 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side after joining in 2022, has signed a contract until the end of the season and will provide competition for Matz Sels.
Forest's global head of football, Edu, commented: "When it became clear the goalkeeper position was somewhere we needed to address, Stefan stood out straight away. He will provide great competition for our group of goalkeepers, and will help the team on and off the pitch."
Elsewhere, former Everton striker Ademola Lookman is in advanced talks to join Atlético Madrid from Atalanta in a £35 million deal, while Brighton forward Tommy Watson has joined Championship side Millwall on loan until the end of the season.
