Crystal Palace Stall on £50m Strand Larsen Deal as Loan for Guessand Takes Shape
A potentially record-breaking transfer has hit a snag for Crystal Palace after they stalled on signing Norway striker Jørgen Strand Larsen from Wolves. The 25-year-old had been the subject of a £45m deal, plus £5m in add-ons, which Wolves were waiting to formalise before completing the move.
However, it appears Palace are now focusing on securing a loan deal for Aston Villa's Evann Guessand instead, an option that was previously available due to Guessand being beaten to his signature by several clubs last summer. This development suggests Palace are prioritising a cheaper and more short-term solution over a potential long-term target.
Strand Larsen would have been Palace's record signing, eclipsing the £35m they paid for Brennan Johnson from Tottenham earlier this month. Leeds United had also shown interest in his services, with a bid of around £40m rejected last month.
The transfer saga raises questions about Palace's priorities and the role of their coaching staff. Having signed Guessand on loan, Palace will now be forced to find an alternative striker to replace Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has been linked with Nottingham Forest in a £35m deal.
The situation is likely to have implications for Palace both domestically and in Europe, as they prepare to face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground this weekend.
In related news, James Ward-Prowse has joined Burnley on loan from West Ham United, with manager Scott Parker hoping to break David Beckham's Premier League record of 18 goals from direct free-kicks.
A potentially record-breaking transfer has hit a snag for Crystal Palace after they stalled on signing Norway striker Jørgen Strand Larsen from Wolves. The 25-year-old had been the subject of a £45m deal, plus £5m in add-ons, which Wolves were waiting to formalise before completing the move.
However, it appears Palace are now focusing on securing a loan deal for Aston Villa's Evann Guessand instead, an option that was previously available due to Guessand being beaten to his signature by several clubs last summer. This development suggests Palace are prioritising a cheaper and more short-term solution over a potential long-term target.
Strand Larsen would have been Palace's record signing, eclipsing the £35m they paid for Brennan Johnson from Tottenham earlier this month. Leeds United had also shown interest in his services, with a bid of around £40m rejected last month.
The transfer saga raises questions about Palace's priorities and the role of their coaching staff. Having signed Guessand on loan, Palace will now be forced to find an alternative striker to replace Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has been linked with Nottingham Forest in a £35m deal.
The situation is likely to have implications for Palace both domestically and in Europe, as they prepare to face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground this weekend.
In related news, James Ward-Prowse has joined Burnley on loan from West Ham United, with manager Scott Parker hoping to break David Beckham's Premier League record of 18 goals from direct free-kicks.