Palace Targets £50m Strand Larsen as Forest Pursues Mateta

Crystal Palace is Closing in on Jorgen Strand Larsen

Crystal Palace has reportedly come to an understanding to acquire Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen for a fee around £50 million. This development comes as Nottingham Forest is preparing to make a better offer for Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Sources within BBC Sport have indicated that interest from Palace in the 25-year-old striker has surged significantly over the past day, prompting the club to prepare a formal proposal. Earlier this month, Palace set a new club record by signing Brennan Johnson from Wales for £35 million, but acquiring Strand Larsen would exceed that amount.

Wolves have expressed a willingness to sell the Norwegian international this month, but they expect a fee close to the £55 million they previously turned down from Newcastle during the summer transfer window. Leeds United had also attempted a £40 million bid, which was rejected, with the club now hesitant to improve their offer substantially.

Mateta has expressed a desire to depart from Palace and has communicated this to the club’s executives, with Forest planning to revisit negotiations following an unsuccessful initial bid of £35 million.

Nottingham Forest’s Interest in Mateta and More Transfer News

Nottingham Forest is not the only club interested in Mateta; Juventus and AC Milan have also shown serious interest in the French player. Although Mateta is eager to participate in Champions League football, joining Forest presents a financially appealing option for the 28-year-old. Forest is reportedly keen to escalate their pursuit.

The two teams are scheduled to face each other in the Premier League on Sunday, and no transfer agreement is anticipated prior to that match. In other news, Forest has made a £20 million bid for Brighton’s midfielder Yasin Ayari, although this offer is expected to be declined.

Palace Close to Securing Evann Guessand on Loan

In additional transfer updates, Crystal Palace is nearing a deal to loan Aston Villa forward Evann Guessand. The Eagles are set to acquire the 24-year-old until the season’s end, including an option for a permanent transfer.

Guessand, who previously attracted interest from Palace last summer, has had a subdued spell at Villa, scoring only two goals in 26 appearances, both of which were in the Europa League. The recent acquisition of Tammy Abraham from Besiktas for £18.25 million has further complicated Guessand’s chances, leaving him likely as the third choice behind Abraham and Ollie Watkins.

While the Ivory Coast international has shown willingness to compete for his position at Villa Park, it appears likely that he will seek opportunities elsewhere. Since his transfer to Villa from Nice for £26 million last August, Guessand has only made six starts in the Premier League.