Palace Missed McNeil, Wilson in Jan Window

Key Points

• Crystal Palace endured a chaotic January transfer window marked by the departure of club captain Marc Guéhi to Manchester City for £20 million, manager Oliver Glasner’s announcement to leave next summer, and star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta’s failed medical at AC Milan on Deadline Day.
• Despite signing Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves for £48 million, Brennan Johnson earlier in the window, and Evann Guessand on loan from Aston Villa, Palace remain perilously close to the Premier League’s bottom three.
• A headline missed opportunity was Dwight McNeil’s £20 million move from Everton, which collapsed in the final hours despite full agreement with the Toffees; McNeil’s girlfriend expressed strong dissatisfaction on social media the following day.
• Palace showed interest in Fulham’s in-form winger Harry Wilson, whose contract expires this summer, but Fulham rejected all approaches from top-flight clubs including Palace.
• The club was in advanced talks for 19-year-old Angers striker Sidiki Cherif in a £22 million deal, competing with Wrexham, but Cherif opted for an initial loan to Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig.
• Following Guéhi’s sale, Palace prioritised a centre-back but failed to secure targets; they were linked with Toulouse’s Charlie Cresswell, who attracted interest from Brighton and West Ham, and Chelsea’s highly-rated teenager Josh Acheampong.
• Sky Sports News reported Palace’s Deadline Day bid for Acheampong, which Chelsea swiftly blocked; Talksport noted the 18-year-old’s breakthrough season with 18 first-team appearances.
• Palace’s extensive spending has not yet alleviated relegation fears at Selhurst Park, with questions lingering over whether they did enough.

South London (South London News) February 7, 2026 – Crystal Palace navigated a tumultuous January transfer window at Selhurst Park, marked by key departures and high-profile incomings, yet missed out on several top-class signings that could have bolstered their Premier League survival bid.

The Eagles began the month on a dismal run of form but appeared stable until chaos unfolded: captain Marc Guéhi departed for Manchester City in a £20 million deal, manager Oliver Glasner confirmed his exit for next summer, and striker Jean-Philippe Mateta’s Deadline Day move to AC Milan collapsed after a failed medical. Despite this turmoil, Palace splashed £48 million on Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, welcomed Brennan Johnson earlier, and secured Aston Villa’s Evann Guessand on loan. As reported in 3 Added Minutes, the club now sits worryingly near the relegation zone, prompting scrutiny over untapped opportunities.

What Made Crystal Palace’s January Window So Eventful?

The drama at Selhurst Park was all-consuming, as detailed by 3 Added Minutes in their coverage of Palace as “losers” of the window. Guéhi’s sale left a void in defence, Glasner’s looming departure sowed uncertainty, and Mateta’s retention—despite his desire to leave—came amid the Larsen signing. “The chaos at Selhurst Park was all-consuming,” the outlet noted, highlighting how Palace ended the window with significant outlay but lingering vulnerabilities.

Oliver Glasner must now rally his squad without several targeted reinforcements. The Austrian manager, who announced his summer exit, faced a side teetering on the edge of the drop zone. Jean-Philippe Mateta remains, but his heart appeared set on Milan until the medical setback. These events, per 3 Added Minutes, underscore a window of high stakes and half-measures.

Who Was the Headline Non-Arrival at Selhurst Park?

Dwight McNeil’s collapsed £20 million transfer from Everton stands as the most glaring miss. As covered extensively by 3 Added Minutes, a full agreement was reached with the Toffees, but the deal fell through in Deadline Day’s final hours. The 26-year-old winger, with proven Premier League experience, would have provided Glasner vital width.

McNeil was

“not happy with the breakdown of his move,”

the report stated, evidenced by strong statements from his girlfriend on social media the next day. Palace will lack this extra body in wide areas, a blow for a side needing dynamism. Someone of McNeil’s pedigree could have steadied the ship amid the captaincy vacuum.

Why Did Palace Target Fulham’s Harry Wilson?

Palace were touted among top-flight clubs interested in a mid-season swoop for Fulham’s Harry Wilson, according to 3 Added Minutes linking to Newcastle transfer rumours. The 28-year-old Welshman, in scintillating form, is out of contract this summer and has been one of the division’s standout performers recently.

Fulham rejected all approaches, keeping Wilson in west London for now.

“The Cottagers rejected all approaches and the Welshman has stayed put,”

the piece noted. Wilson could have his pick of clubs come summer, and Palace may pitch for the short trip across London if he enters free agency. This interest reflects Glasner’s hunt for proven Premier League quality.

What Happened with Angers Teenager Sidiki Cherif?

Before pivoting to Strand Larsen, Palace held advanced talks for 19-year-old Angers striker Sidiki Cherif, valued at £22 million. 3 Added Minutes reported the Eagles in “advanced talks” amid rivalry from ambitious Championship outfit Wrexham.

Neither club swayed the Guinea-born prospect, who joined Fenerbahce on an initial loan in the Turkish Super Lig. If Cherif fulfils his “vast potential,” Palace may rue this one, as the report speculated. The pursuit signalled ambition for youthful firepower to complement Mateta.

How Did Guéhi’s Departure Shape Defensive Targets?

Marc Guéhi’s £20 million exit to Manchester City made centre-back recruitment a priority, yet Palace struck out.

“Signing a centre-back to replace him was a priority. While the Eagles were not able to secure any of their targets in the position, it was not for a want of trying,”

stated 3 Added Minutes.

The FA Cup holders must improvise without a direct replacement for the remainder of the season. This gap exacerbates their proximity to the bottom three, with no new defender emerging before deadline.

Who Was Charlie Cresswell and Why Link Him to Palace?

Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell, formerly of Leeds United, drew strong Premier League interest including from Palace, Brighton, and West Ham. The 23-year-old starred as England Under-21s claimed the European Championship last summer, per 3 Added Minutes referencing Manchester United transfer chatter.

Cresswell remains in Ligue 1 for now but could move soon. Palace hope to re-enter the frame, valuing his pedigree and youth. His links highlight the club’s proactive scouting in defensive reinforcements.

What Role Did Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong Play in Rumours?

Palace lodged a Deadline Day bid for Chelsea’s highly-rated teenager Josh Acheampong, as per Sky Sports News (via X post: https://x.com/SkySportsNews/status/2014692932654186793). The 18-year-old has notched 18 first-team appearances this season, breaking through at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea swiftly blocked the approach, with no alternative materialising. Talksport reported (https://talksport.com/football/3955387/chelsea-josh-acheampong-rolls-royce-inside-chelsea/) on Acheampong’s emergence, noting his pathway might still be blocked. As reported by Sky Sports News, this late gambit underscored Palace’s desperation for defensive youth.

Could Palace Have Done More to Avoid Relegation Danger?

Despite £48 million on Larsen—plus Johnson and Guessand—questions persist over sufficiency. 3 Added Minutes pondered: “Have they done enough to avoid being dragged into relegation danger? Only time will tell.”

The extensive spend contrasts with missed targets like McNeil, Wilson, Cherif, Cresswell, and Acheampong. Glasner, departing next summer, must maximise this squad. Selhurst Park faithful eye the run-in warily, with stability elusive post-Guéhi.

What Lessons Emerge from Palace’s Transfer Misses?

This window exposed Palace’s ambition clashing with execution. Advanced talks for Cherif and agreements like McNeil’s evaporated, while defensive bids faltered. As 3 Added Minutes chronicled, the Eagles’ proximity to trouble demands summer recalibration.

Glasner’s interim tenure hinges on survival. Mateta’s retention offers solace, but width and backline gaps linger. Fulham’s Wilson rejection stings less if free agency beckons; Cresswell and Acheampong profiles suit long-term visions.