Crystal Palace identify Premier League striker as possible Jean-Philippe Mateta replacement

Crystal Palace have held talks with Wolves regarding a potential move for Jorgen Strand Larsen, talkSPORT understands.

Strand Larsen, valued at around £40m, is viewed as a possible replacement for wantaway Jean-Philippe Mateta.

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The Norwegian international was brought to England by Crystal Palace sporting director Matt Hobbs when he held the same role at Molineux.

Mateta has asked to leave Palace this month with Aston Villa, Juventus and AC Milan all interested.

Meanwhile, Strand Larsen, who has garnered interest from Leeds and Tottenham, is seen as a ready-made replacement for Mateta.

Jorgen Strand Larsen in the Premier League

The Norwegian is Premier League proven having netted 14 times in 35 league games during his debut season after completing a switch from La Liga outfit Celta Vigo.

Wolves initially signed the towering striker on a season-long loan before eventually making the move permanent last summer.

Just weeks after penning a five-year deal at Molineux, Strand Larsen was subject to interest from Newcastle who were willing to splash £60m on the striker as a replacement for the outgoing Alexander Isak.

The 25-year-old has not been as prolific this term with just one Premier League goal in a Wolves side battling to avoid the drop.

Despite that, the Norwegian has retained plenty of suitors and a move this month is expected to materialise before deadline day on February 2.

A move to Selhurst Park is likely to suit all parties with the striker keen on leaving Wolves, while the club are open to his departure this month.

Mateta’s move is key to Strand Larsen deal

For a move to materialise, Palace must first sanction the sale of Mateta.

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The 28-year-old Frenchman has just 18 months remaining on his contract with talks to extend his stay in south London at a standstill.

Speaking last week, Palace manager Oliver Glasner revealed the club are listening to offers for the striker.

“There will be a price that Crystal Palace [accept], with 18 months left on his contract. We’d do the deal, if JP wants. If nobody pays that price, then he will stay,” said the Palace boss.

January blues

It has been a turbulent month for Palace which began with a humiliating FA Cup exit at the hands of sixth-tier Macclesfield.

They later lost talismanic captain Marc Guehi after he joined Manchester City in a £20m deal.

And to make matters worse, Glasner revealed that he will leave the club at the end of the season, an agreement that had been in place with club chiefs since October.

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Following a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland on January 17, Glasner launched a blistering attack on the Palace hierarchy claiming he has been ‘abandoned’ by the club’s transfer policy.

Reports circulated that Palace were considering sacking the outspoken Austrian but after a period of deliberation, all parties agreed to work in tandem until the end of the season.