Wolverhampton Wanderers have accepted a revised £48m offer from Crystal Palace for striker Jørgen Strand Larsen.
The two clubs had agreed in principle last week on a £50m deal for the Norway international, with Wolves expecting to give the green light once Palace submitted a formal bid matching the agreed valuation.
However, the written offer never arrived. As previously reported by BBC Sport, Palace instead signalled they were prepared to walk away from the deal, placing the transfer in doubt. Sources indicated the hesitation was driven by concerns over the overall cost of the move rather than any doubts about Strand Larsen himself.
With negotiations stalling and the transfer window nearing its conclusion, Palace have now returned with an improved proposal. Wolves have accepted a new offer worth £43m up front, with a further £5m in performance-related bonuses — £2m less than the original verbal agreement.
Strand Larsen move could speed up Mateta exit
The agreement is expected to clear the way for Jean-Philippe Mateta’s departure from Selhurst Park, with AC Milan having agreed a deal worth more than £30m for the French striker.
Mateta, 28, is keen to leave Palace, but the club had been reluctant to sanction his exit without securing a replacement. With Strand Larsen now set to arrive, sources suggest Mateta has been given permission to undergo a medical in London before completing his move to Milan.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner revealed in December that Mateta has been managing a knee problem, although it remains unclear whether the issue will affect his medical assessment.
Nottingham Forest had a £35m bid for Mateta rejected last weekend, but the striker has made it clear that his preference is a move to the Italian club.
Speaking after Palace’s 1-1 draw with Forest on Sunday, Glasner told BBC Match of the Day:
“I expect either Mateta or someone else here as a striker. Everybody is working very hard, but being so close to the end of the window makes it more difficult.
“Worst case, we sell Mateta and nobody comes in — then it’s not a good window for Palace.”
Wolves line up replacement
Wolves are already moving to replace Strand Larsen and are close to agreeing a deal for Southampton striker Adam Armstrong for an initial fee of £7m.
There is growing confidence the transfer will be completed as Wolves plan for an expected relegation to the Championship.
Armstrong, 28, has scored 11 goals for Southampton in the Championship this season and has netted 43 times for the club since joining from Blackburn Rovers in 2021.
