Massive Wolves deadline day deal confirmed despite last-minute doubts
Wolves have confirmed their first deal of transfer deadline day as Jørgen Strand Larsen’s move to Crystal Palace is confirmed.
Crystal Palace have completed the deadline day signing of striker Jørgen Strand Larsen from Wolves – in spite of doubts which emerged following the collapse of Jean-Philippe Mateta’s move to AC Milan.
Strand Larsen leaves the Old Gold for an initial £43m, according to Sky Sports, with up to £5m more in add-ons. The Norwegian striker arrived at Molineux in 2024 and scored 20 goals in 65 appearances, but has now left the club after struggling to recapture his best form over the course of the 2025/26 season.
Strand Larsen deal completed despite last-minute nerves
While the deal which takes Strand Larsen to Selhurst Park had been widely expected, there was some last-minute anxiety over the deal following the failure of Palace striker Mateta’s proposed move to AC Milan.
The Frenchman failed a medical, resulting in the cancellation of his transfer to the San Siro. With that deal falling through, there had been concerns that Palace could cancel their own move for Strand Larsen, who was intended as a replacement for Mateta.
Palace pressed ahead with the deal, however, and the 25-year-old Strand Larsen now departs Wolves less than five months after signing a new five-year contract with the club.
Strand Larsen, who joined Wolves from Celta Vigo on an initial loan deal before he signed permanently last summer, scored 14 goals in a fine debut campaign and was the subject of transfer interest from Newcastle United over the summer, but now leaves after finding the back of the net just once in the current Premier League campaign.
Wolves target replacement on quiet deadline day
The deal taking Strand Larsen to Crystal Palace is the first confirmed piece of transfer business to take place at Molineux on deadline day, but may not be the last with the club pressing ahead with their bid to find a replacement.
Several reports have suggested that journeyman striker Adam Armstrong could join from Southampton before the close of play to replace Strand Larsen – while the window closes officially at 7pm, teams can take up to an additional two hours to complete deals provided that they have submitted a deal sheet to the Premier League.
Another possible deal, for Torino forward Che Adams, appears to have fallen through after the clubs failed to agree a transfer fee after lengthy negotiations.
Aside from a potential deal for Armstrong, Wolves are not expected to make any further signings on deadline day, with rumours of a bid for Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips proving false after the midfielder signed for Sheffield United on loan.
The apparent lack of activity will come as a relief to many Wolves fans, with stories throughout the transfer window suggesting that they could sell several key players – but will the side’s form improving under new manager Rob Edwards, it appears that the decision was made to keep hold of players like Joao Gomes in case an unlikely escape from relegation can be completed over the course of the second half of the season.