LONDON — In a dramatic deadline day twist that has sent shockwaves through European football, Wolverhampton Wanderers have officially accepted Crystal Palace's €55 million offer for striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, finally unlocking the pathway for Jean-Philippe Mateta's long-awaited transfer to AC Milan with less than 18 hours remaining before the window slams shut.
The Domino Falls: Strand Larsen Deal Confirmed
The breakthrough came Sunday evening when The Athletic's David Ornstein confirmed that Wolves have agreed to Crystal Palace's total package of £43 million plus £5 million in performance-related add-ons for the Norwegian international. After days of tense negotiations that nearly collapsed over disagreement on add-on structures, Palace's persistence has finally paid off, providing them with the replacement striker they desperately needed. nytimes
The 25-year-old Strand Larsen, who scored 14 goals for Wolves last season but has managed just one Premier League goal this campaign, now represents Palace's club-record signing and the final piece needed to greenlight Mateta's departure. skysports
Mateta: The Waiting Game in London
While the Strand Larsen agreement breaks the deadlock, Jean-Philippe Mateta remains in an agonizing state of limbo in London, bags packed and ready to fly to Milan at a moment's notice. The French striker, who has already agreed personal terms with AC Milan on a contract running until 2030 worth €3.5 million per year, is awaiting the crucial phone call from Crystal Palace management to grant him permission to board his flight to Italy.
The framework of the deal between the two clubs is valued at approximately €30-35 million including performance bonuses, with Milan offering Mateta the opportunity to become their starting striker under manager Massimiliano Allegri. The 27-year-old believes the move to San Siro will significantly enhance his chances of representing France at the upcoming World Cup. bolasport
The Pressure Mounts: Social Media Protest
Mateta's frustration has boiled over publicly in recent hours. The striker posted angry emojis on his Instagram Stories on Saturday night and reportedly unfollowed Crystal Palace's official Instagram account as his impatience grew. Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed Mateta was left out of Sunday's squad to face Nottingham Forest, stating the player's "head was not in the right place" amid the transfer saga.
Race Against Time: Medical Scheduled for Monday Morning
With the January transfer window closing Monday night at 19:00 GMT (02:00 WIB Tuesday morning), Milan have scheduled Mateta's medical examination for Monday morning Italian time. However, the striker must first receive clearance from Palace and complete his journey to Italy before the deadline expires. nytimes
Crystal Palace's sporting director is now expected to make the final call within the next few hours, with sources close to the situation suggesting Mateta could land in Milan within 12-18 hours if permission is granted immediately. nytimes
Palace's Double Reinforcement Strategy
Beyond Strand Larsen, Crystal Palace have already secured Evann Guessand on an initial loan from Aston Villa with a £28 million obligation to buy triggered by appearance clauses. The dual signing approach demonstrates Palace's determination to adequately replace Mateta's 10 Premier League goals this season before sanctioning his departure.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner acknowledged the challenging circumstances: "We will travel tomorrow with 13 on-field players, plus Kaden Rodney from our academy. Nobody is complaining. It is a challenging situation".
The Verdict: Hours, Not Days
With Wolves' acceptance confirmed and all contractual frameworks in place, the final barrier to Mateta's transfer has been removed. The next 18 hours will determine whether the French striker achieves his dream move to one of Europe's most storied clubs or remains at Selhurst Park beyond the winter window. All eyes now turn to Crystal Palace's boardroom for the green light that could change Mateta's career trajectory forever.
Transfer deadline: Monday, February 2, 19:00 GMT (Tuesday, February 3, 02:00 WIB)
