Huge Crystal Palace transfer twist as Leeds United target Jorgen Strand Larsen awaits £48m move
Leeds United’s Premier League relegation rivals look set for a busy end to deadline day after major drama.
One of Leeds United’s emerging Premier League relegation rivals have been handed a massive deadline-day twist with less than four hours of the transfer window remaining.
Crystal Palace looked set to be one of the Premier League’s busier sides on deadline day with big-money transfers expected in and out. A major point of focus for the Eagles was upfront, with Jean-Philippe Mateta due for medical tests ahead of a £26million move to AC Milan while Jorgen Strand Larsen was in line to replace him.
Leeds were also in for Strand Larsen, tabling an offer worth close to £40m, but there was a knowledge more established Premier League rivals could flex their financial muscle. As such, with Palace in need of a No.9 and expecting a £26m cash injection, they got Wolves’ striker down to London where he completed medical tests on Monday.
Mateta’s move to AC Milan did not go so smoothly, however, with major doubt cast on whether the Frenchman’s ability to pass a medical due to ongoing knee issues. And on Monday afternoon, with just four hours of the transfer window remaining, incredible reports emerged that the Serie A side had pulled out of a deal.
Sky Sports were among several outlets to report on the huge transfer twist, with Juventus said to be monitoring the situation ahead of pouncing on a potential last-ditch loan approach. The U-turn on Mateta is not currently expected to have an effect on Palace finalising the deal for Strand Larsen.
Leeds United transfer state of play amid Jorgen Strand Larsen uncertainty
YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth reported on Monday afternoon that even if Strand Larsen’s move to Palace was to fall through, it would do so too late for a Leeds hijack. The transfer window closes at 7pm, leaving fewer than four hours to agree a deal with Wolves, fly Strand Larsen up from London and complete medical tests.
Leeds would want to do serious due diligence on the fitness of any player ahead of what would comfortably be a club-record deal, which would demand a full and thorough medical. That is something they simply do not have time to do at this point in the afternoon.
The 25-year-old is believed to be in London putting the final touches on his move from Molineux, with multiple sources insisting a move is not off because of Mateta. But the last-minute drama will be a major inconvenience for Palace, who have to find a way to deal with a striker who has made clear his desire to leave Selhurst Park this month.
Palace might also find it challenging to get the £26m fee they wanted for Mateta anywhere else, now it has become public the striker is not fit enough to pass a medical. It could be that they have to accept a loan with an option to buy this month, although that would mean no money coming in for the 28-year-old.