Crystal Palace have been dealt a last-gasp January transfer blow after news of a verbal agreement this morning.
Palace continue wrestling with attacking complications heading into Monday's transfer deadline, with negotiations for Jorgen Strand Larsen experiencing fresh complications whilst Jean-Philippe Mateta edges towards departure.
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The Eagles remain engaged in discussions with Wolves over Strand Larsen despite talks hitting a stumbling block this week, according to Sky Sports.
Palace had virtually agreed a £45 million package plus £5 million in performance-related bonuses on Thursday, but disagreements over add-on structures have stalled the deal.
The Norwegian will feature for Wolves against Bournemouth on Saturday despite the uncertainty, as confirmed by manager Rob Edwards.
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The Norwegian's move to Palace is stalling.
Leeds maintain interest but refuse to exceed their £40 million offer, leaving Palace as favourites should they resolve the complications with Molineux officials.
Manager Oliver Glasner confirmed on Friday that Mateta will not travel to face Nottingham Forest on Sunday, with reports suggesting that AC Milan have emerged as frontrunners to secure the French striker.
The Italian giants are apparently proposing an immediate loan with a £35 million obligation to buy, though Glasner has emphasised Mateta could still remain at Selhurst Park beyond Monday.
"It's nothing to do with transfers, he's just not in the right place to play," Glasner explained.
"It could be that JP stays and is a Crystal Palace player on February 2, and it could be that JP has left the club."
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Palace have secured attacking cover regardless of Mateta's situation, finalising Evann Guessand's loan from Aston Villa on Friday.
The £28 million obligation-to-buy activates upon the Ivorian international reaching specific appearance thresholds, with a four-year contract pre-agreed should the deal become permanent.
Guessand underwent a medical following his Thursday arrival in London, and despite Juventus' late attempts to hijack the deal, he is now an Eagles player.
Reports then claimed that Palace could still strike a deal for January target Sidiki Cherif.
However, with Fenerbahçe the player's preferred destination, that potential move is now dead in the water.
Crystal Palace poised to miss out on Sidiki Cherif after update
Indeed, according to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg this morning, Cherif to Fenerbahçe is now a 'done deal' and will happen with an Angers verbal agreement now reached, barring a surprise and unlikely late hijack.
Missing out on the 19-year-old represents a significant blow for Palace's plans, with Glasner having one less alternative to Strand Larsen.
Cherif has scored four goals across 19 Ligue 1 appearances this season, but is pretty highly-rated in France and attracted interest from the likes of Paris FC and Eintracht Frankfurt this month.
RC Lens' Samson Baidoo in action with Angers SCO's Sidiki Cherif
Palace had reportedly secured personal terms with the French forward, who can also play on the wing, and submitted offers approaching £17 million, only for Fenerbahçe to gazump them overnight.
Cherif's physicality combined with his versatility made him an ideal replacement for Mateta, but Palace must now explore alternative striker targets or seal a club-record deal for Strand Larsen.
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