The contract between Crystal Palace and Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen is in a delicate situation.
Sky Sports News reported that an intermediary had told Wolves that Palace were prepared to walk away.
However, other sources close to the deal insist that is not the case, and negotiations are ongoing.
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See all Jorgen Strand Larsen’s Wolves goals
The deal, worth £45m plus potential add-ons of £5m, was close to being agreed early on Thursday.
Palace have also agreed a loan deal for forward Evan Guesand with Aston Villa. Sky Sports News revealed that this included a £28m buyout obligation that would be triggered if he made a certain number of appearances.
Leeds United are still interested in signing Strand Larsen, but they are not prepared to spend more than £40 million for him at the moment.
They are under no pressure to sign a striker and are unlikely to sign another player in this period if Strand Larsen ends up moving to Selhurst Park.
The signing of the 25-year-old was seen as a unique long-term opportunity in this transfer window.
If Wolves sign him for £40m, the original amount they gave the striker, it would be a club record deal for Leeds, surpassing the £35.5m they paid for Georginio Rutter in 2023.
Leeds want to pay Strand-Larsen’s contract in installments, given the Premier League’s financial constraints.
Strand Larsen has scored six goals in all competitions for Wolves this season.
Strand Larsen, who was repeatedly rejected by Newcastle in the summer, has scored just six goals in all competitions for Wolves this season.
The Norwegian international has scored just one goal in the Premier League this season, with Wolves sitting at the bottom of the table and looking set to head towards the Championship.
Strand Larsen scored a hat-trick in the FA Cup third round tie against League Two side Shrewsbury earlier this month, and his other two goals came in the Carabao Cup.
Strand Larsen, who scored 14 goals in the Premier League last season, wants to remain in England’s top flight if he leaves Wolves.
Gesand’s Palace loan includes a £28m buyout obligation
Aston Villa striker Evan Guesand
Exclusive to Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett and James Savandra:
Evan Guesand’s proposed loan move to Crystal Palace includes a £28m buyout obligation that would be triggered if certain conditions are met.
Palace and Villa have agreed a loan deal for the forward until the end of the season.
This includes an option to buy which becomes obligatory depending on the number of appearances Guesand makes for Palace.
The Ivory Coast international has agreed a four-year contract at Selhurst Park, which should become permanent.
He will fly to London on Thursday to finalize his move and will undergo a medical on Friday.
Villa signed Guesand from Nice in the summer in a deal worth up to £28m.
Palace is yet to respond to Forest’s bid for Mateta
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Former Palace players Clinton Morrison and Darren Ambrose think Jean-Philippe Mateta should stay at the club
Sky Sports News understands that Palace are considering signing Strand Larsen, regardless of what the future holds for striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Nottingham Forest’s bid for Mateta is still under consideration, but Palace are yet to announce a formal response.
It is thought unlikely that he will feature before Sunday’s Palace Play Forest at the City Ground (live on Sky Sports).
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Forest are said to be willing to pay £35m to sign Mateta and are prepared to offer him a significant pay rise.
It looks increasingly likely that Mateta’s future will be decided before the window closes at 7pm on Monday.
Palace are currently preparing for Sunday’s game with Mateta in their squad.
Relations between Palace and Forest became strained in the summer when Forest replaced Palace in the Europa League.
Palace will only sell the France international if their £40m valuation is met and they are happy to have both players in their squad.
Mateta wants to leave Palace, but has not submitted a formal transfer request. The 28-year-old has entered the final 18 months of his contract with Palace.
Juventus and Aston Villa considered signing him, but decided not to because of the high asking price.
