Buying for 50, selling for 75 million

Six months ago, Wolverhampton turned down nearly 60 million euros from Newcastle for Jorgen Strand Larsen, but as things now stand, that amount should be enough for the Norwegian goalscorer to leave Molineux and continue his Premier League journey elsewhere. The likelihood is growing that Crystal Palace will become the new club of the powerful striker. As of this morning, the Norwegian has become the main football topic in the UK, with media in Norway, Sky Sports, and The Athletic all reporting on the situation. The essence is that negotiations have progressed quite far and that an agreement on the transfer fee is very close. The fixed part is expected to be 52 million, with bonuses of around six million euros. That would make it the second-biggest transfer of this winter window, behind Antoine Semenyo (72 million euros from Bournemouth to Manchester City).

The logical assumption is that Palace are preparing for the departure of Jean-Philippe Mateta, but that is only partially true. The stance at Selhurst Park is that the Frenchman will not be allowed to leave unless a club is willing to pay 45 million for a player whose contract runs for another year and a half. Moreover, the London club has no objection to Oliver Glasner having both Mateta and Strand Larsen at his disposal until the end of the season. Strand Larsen played the 2024/25 Premier League season on loan from Celta (the loan fee was three million euros), and Wolves made the move permanent last June 27 million euros. After 63 matches, 20 goals, and seven assists for the Norway international, the club is now on the verge of doubling its investment.

Old Lady look to London for a lethal weapon

But that’s not the end for Palace. Last August, Eberechi Eze moved to Arsenal for nearly 70 million, and this January Marc Guehi joined Manchester City for 23 million euros. Palace were unable to keep their centre-back, given that his contract was due to expire in six months and he did not want to extend it. Nothing will change in the June transfer window. Jean-Philippe Mateta has already said he wants to leave, and the same applies to Adam Wharton, the hugely talented midfielder who has quite literally taken Europe by storm. According to The Guardian, Crystal Palace have set an asking price of 75 million euros for the midfielder, with Real Madrid, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle, and others yet to enter the race.

Wharton (21) was a brilliant investment by Crystal Palace in January 2024. The Selhurst Park club signed the then 19-year-old from Blackburn for 21.1 million euros, and it is estimated that two and a half years later he could leave the London club for as much as 100 million euros. The young midfielder has already played 31 matches for Crystal Palace this season and registered three assists. However, he is still expected to reach the peak of his career, which will require a move to another club—one where he will have the chance to train with even higher-quality teammates and compete at a higher level. That is expected to happen as early as next June.

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 8

Thursday

23.00: (1.45) Aston Villa (4.80) Salzburg (6.50)

23.00: (2.00) Basel (3.85) Plzen (3.60)

23.00: (1.63) Betis (4.50) Feyenoord (5.10)

23.00: (1.38) Celtic (5.00) Utrecht (8.00)

23.00: (2.45) Crvena Zvezda (3.50) Celta (3.15)

23.00: (5.50) FCSB (4.30) Fenerbahce (1.58)

23.00: (1.33) Genk (5.40) Malmo (10.0)

23.00: (4.20) Go Ahead (4.00) Braga (1.85)

23.00: (2.10) Lille (3.50) Freiburg (3.80)

23.00: (1.87) Ludogorets (3.75) Nice (4.30)

23.00: (6.50) Maccabi T.A. (4.50) Bologna (1.50)

23.00: (1.90) Midtjylland (3.70) Dinamo Zagreb (4.40)

23.00: (1.58) Nott.Forest (3.90) Ferencvaros (6.00)

23.00: (2.25) Olympique Lyon (3.50) PAOK (3.30)

23.00: (5.00) Panathinaikos (3.75) Roma (1.75)

23.00: (1.28) Porto (6.25) Rangers (12.0)

23.00: (2.85) Sturm (3.60) Brann (2.50)

23.00: (1.28) Stuttgart (6.75) Young Boys (10.5)

* odds are subject to change