Crystal Palace’s deal for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen is hanging in the balance.
Sky Sports News has been told that intermediaries have communicated to Wolves that Palace are ready to walk away.
However, other sources close to the deal insist that is not the case, and talks remain ongoing.
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See all of Jorgen Strand Larsen’s goals for Wolves
A deal for £45m plus a potential £5m in add-ons was close to being agreed earlier on Thursday.
Sky Sports News reported on Thursday that Leeds remain at the table for Strand Larsen but are not currently prepared to go beyond £40m for him.
Leeds are not under any pressure to sign a striker and are unlikely to move for another player if Strand Larsen ends up moving to Selhurst Park.
Leeds see Strand Larsen as a unique market opportunity and long-term prospect at 25 years old.
Signing him at £40m – which is the original value Wolves put on the striker – would be a club-record signing for Leeds, surpassing the £35.5m the Whites paid for Georginio Rutter in 2023.
Leeds want to structure their deal for Strand Larsen so that the fee is paid in instalments, having to be mindful of Premier League financial limitations.
Strand Larsen has scored six goals in all competitions this season for Wolves
Strand Larsen, who was the subject of multiple rejected bids from Newcastle in the summer, has hit just six goals across all competitions this season in a struggling Wolves side.
The Norway international has scored just once in the Premier League this campaign, with Wolves sitting bottom of the table and seemingly heading for the Championship.
Strand Larsen scored a hat-trick earlier this month against League Two side Shrewsbury in the FA Cup third round, with his other two goals coming in the Carabao Cup.
Strand Larsen, who struck 14 Premier League goals last season, wants to stay in the English top flight if he is to leave Wolves.
Palace yet to respond to Forest’s Mateta bid
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Ex-Palace players Clinton Morrison and Darren Ambrose believe Jean-Philippe Mateta should stay at the club
Sky Sports News understands Palace are looking to sign Strand Larsen regardless of what happens with the future of their striker Jean Philippe-Mateta.
Nottingham Forest’s bid for Mateta remains on the table, but Palace are yet to communicate an official response.
It is thought one is unlikely to come before Palace play Forest at the City Ground on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
Sunday 1st February 1:55pm
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Forest are prepared to pay £35m to sign Mateta and are willing to offer him a significant pay rise.
Mateta’s future looks increasingly likely to go down to the wire before the window closes on Monday at 7pm.
Palace are currently preparing for Sunday’s game with Mateta in the squad.
Relations between Palace and Forest were strained in the summer when Forest replaced Palace in the Europa League.
Palace will only sell the France international if his £40m valuation is met and they are happy to have both players in their squad.
Mateta wants to leave Palace but has not handed in a formal transfer request. The 28-year-old has entered the final 18 months of his contract at Palace.
Juventus and Aston Villa have looked at signing him, but have been put off by the asking price.
