Strand Larsen Joins Palace as Mateta Transfer Collapses

Key Points

• Jørgen Strand Larsen, the 25-year-old Norwegian international forward, completed a club-record £48 million transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day, Monday, February 2, 2026, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract and taking the No. 22 shirt.
• Strand Larsen scored 14 Premier League goals in 35 appearances for Wolves in the 2024/25 season after joining from Celta Vigo, and has 24 caps for Norway with four goals.
• Jean-Philippe Mateta’s proposed move from Crystal Palace to AC Milan collapsed in the final hours due to medical concerns, specifically a knee issue requiring potential surgery that could sideline him for up to four months.​
• Mateta had initially been linked with Nottingham Forest before AC Milan talks advanced, but Milan withdrew after medical examinations.​
• Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner omitted Mateta from the squad for a match against Nottingham Forest, stating, “It has nothing to do with the transfers at this moment. He is not in the right mindset. It makes no sense to play him. We need to safeguard the team, and I must look out for him. That’s why he won’t be traveling with us to Nottingham,” as reported by Sky Sports.​
• Crystal Palace’s other January incomings include Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur for £35 million (another club-record deal), Evann Guessand on loan from Aston Villa, and Hindolo Mustapha (loan return from Nurnberg) and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (end of loan).
• Outgoings for Palace: Marc Guehi to Manchester City for £20 million, Naouirou Ahamada to Auxerre, Romain Esse to Coventry City (loan), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi to Stoke City (loan), and others on loan.
• The Premier League January 2026 transfer window closed at 7pm GMT on February 2, 2026, with clubs scrambling late amid a tight table where key additions could impact European qualification, relegation battles, or the title race.
• Strand Larsen expressed excitement, saying to Palace’s media team, “I am truly thrilled to be joining Crystal Palace. This has been a goal of mine for quite some time. I aim to bring enthusiasm and goals, and I will strive to give my best for the team,” as reported by ESPN.​
• Palace chairman Steve Parish said, “We’re delighted that Jørgen 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,” according to the club’s official announcement.
• As reported by Joe Prince-Wright of NBC Sports, “Deadline day arrived for Premier League clubs, though several didn’t seem to get the memo that the January transfer window closed at 2pm ET Monday,” highlighting the chaotic nature of proceedings.​
• Mateta has made 23 Premier League appearances this season, scoring eight goals, with his last outing being 85 minutes against Chelsea.​
• Broader Premier League activity included Manchester City signing Marc Guehi from Palace and Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, while other clubs like Aston Villa loaned Evann Guessand to Palace.

South London (South London News) February 6, 2026 – Crystal Palace sealed a dramatic club-record signing of Norwegian striker Jørgen Strand Larsen from Wolverhampton Wanderers on transfer deadline day, while Jean-Philippe Mateta remained at Selhurst Park after his potential move to AC Milan fell through in the final hours.

What Happened on Transfer Deadline Day?

The January 2026 Premier League transfer window slammed shut at 7pm GMT on Monday, February 2, with South London club Crystal Palace at the centre of late drama. As reported by Joe Prince-Wright, Andy Edwards, and Nicholas Mendola of NBC Sports, plenty of clubs scrambled to buy and sell as “cheeky bids flew in from all angles,” but only a few notable deals materialised amid a tightly contested league table. Palace’s acquisition of Strand Larsen became the headline, marking their third incoming of the window and bolstering Oliver Glasner’s attacking options.

The window’s closure prompted frantic activity across the division, with the complete list of confirmed ins and outs published by NBC Sports detailing moves for all 20 clubs. For Palace, the focus sharpened on deadline day incomings and the retention of key assets like Mateta.

Who is Jørgen Strand Larsen and Why Did Palace Sign Him?

Jørgen Strand Larsen, a 25-year-old Norway international, joined Crystal Palace from Wolves in a £48 million deal, as confirmed by the club and multiple outlets. The powerful forward, who wears the No. 22 shirt, has adapted seamlessly to English football, netting 14 Premier League goals in 35 appearances during his debut 2024/25 season at Molineux after two years at Celta Vigo.

His professional journey began with Sarpsborg in Norway in 2017, including UEFA Europa League experience, before a move to Groningen in 2020. Strand Larsen debuted for Norway in November 2020, earning 24 caps and four goals. Palace chairman Steve Parish hailed the signing, stating,

“We’re delighted that Jørgen has chosen to continue his impressive journey with us,”

in the official announcement. This follows their earlier club-record £35 million purchase of Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur.

Why Did Jean-Philippe Mateta’s Transfer to AC Milan Collapse?

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s eagerly anticipated switch to AC Milan collapsed dramatically due to medical issues, according to reports from Goal.com. The French striker, who had shifted from initial talks with Nottingham Forest to advanced negotiations with the Serie A side, underwent examinations that revealed a knee condition potentially needing surgery and up to four months sidelined, as per journalist Sacha Tavolieri.​

As detailed by Goal.com, Milan reached a tentative agreement with Palace over the weekend but pulled out at the last moment. Palace boss Oliver Glasner had benched Mateta for the Nottingham Forest clash, explaining, “He is not in the right mindset,” explicitly denying transfer links at that stage, per Sky Sports coverage. Mateta, a regular this term with eight goals in 23 league outings, last played 85 minutes versus Chelsea.​

What Are Crystal Palace’s Full January 2026 Transfers?

Crystal Palace’s window featured strategic bolstering, as rounded up by Sports Mole. Ins: Brennan Johnson (£35m, Tottenham), Jorgen Strand Larsen (£48m, Wolves), Evann Guessand (loan, Aston Villa), Hindolo Mustapha (loan return, Nurnberg), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (end of loan, Caykur Rizespor), Danny Imray (loan recall, Blackpool).

Outs: Marc Guehi (£20m, Manchester City), Naouirou Ahamada (Auxerre), Romain Esse (Coventry, loan), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (Stoke, loan), Hindolo Mustapha (West Brom, loan), Tayo Adaramola (Sheffield Wednesday, loan), Owen Goodman (Barnsley, loan), Luke Browne (Notts County). Rumours linked further outs like Daniel Munoz to PSG, but none materialised.

How Does This Impact Crystal Palace’s Season?

With the Premier League table tight, these moves could prove pivotal for European hopes, as noted by NBC Sports. Strand Larsen’s arrival addresses goalscoring depth, complementing Mateta’s retention despite his unrest. Glasner’s squad now blends experience and firepower, though injury woes for Mateta pose challenges.

What Were the Broader Premier League Deadline Day Deals?

Deadline day buzz extended beyond Palace. Manchester City snapped up Marc Guehi from Palace and Antoine Semenyo (£62.5m, Bournemouth). Aston Villa loaned Evann Guessand to Palace, while Wolves lost Strand Larsen. NBC’s comprehensive list highlights loans and permanents across clubs like Arsenal (Evan Mooney in), Bournemouth (Fraser Forster free), and more, with no major shocks elsewhere.

As Reuters reported, Strand Larsen’s move marked Palace’s “second big buy” after Johnson. The window’s chaos, per Joe Prince-Wright of NBC Sports, underscored the high stakes.

What Did Key Figures Say About the Deals?

Strand Larsen told Palace media,

“I’m really excited to come to Crystal Palace… I’m here to bring energy and goals,”

echoing his ESPN statement. Parish echoed enthusiasm for the “valuable asset”. Glasner prioritised team welfare amid Mateta saga. No direct Milan comments emerged, but the medical verdict spoke volumes.