The month of January has been one to forget for Crystal Palace, with the core of their hugely successful FA Cup-winning side being torn apart week after week.
Marc Guehi departed in a deal worth just a reported £20m to join Manchester City, as the hierarchy looked to cash in on the centre-back before his contract expired in the summer.
Such a move came at the same time as manager Oliver Glasner confirmed he would be departing Selhurst Park when his own contract expires at the end of June.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner looks dejected after the match
However, with the transfer deadline rapidly approaching, striker Jean-Philippe Mateta also looks set to move on to pastures new, with a deal agreed for the player to join AC Milan today.
The supporters shouldn’t worry about the pending departure of the Frenchman, especially after the recent moves to land a new talisman over the last couple of days.
Palace to make a late bid for £17m sensation
In an attempt to land a new centre-forward, the Palace hierarchy have agreed a £48m deal, including add-ons, to secure the services of Wolves star Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The 25-year-old is currently undergoing a medical at Selhurst Park ahead of his current move, which would break the £35m transfer record set by Brennan Johnson this month.
Strand Larsen
However, despite the window closing tonight, the hierarchy are targeting added reinforcements in other areas, with NEC Nijmegen midfielder Kodai Sano another player in their sights.
According to journalist Mike McGrath, the Eagles have already had an offer rejected for the Japanese international this month, with Ajax and Wolfsburg also interested.
He also states that Glasner’s side are set to return with an increased offer for the 22-year-old, who’s currently valued at around the €20m (£17m) at present.
Why Sano would be perfect for Strand Larsen at Palace
Despite the month being one to forget for Palace, the board are still trying to rectify the situation, as seen by the pending club-record move for Strand Larsen.
jorgen-strand-larsen-wolves
The Norwegian is a player who has previously showcased his talents in England’s top-flight, as seen by his tally of 14 top-flight goals during the 2024/25 campaign.
However, the 25-year-old has struggled for form in the current season, subsequently scoring just one goal in his 22 appearances under Rob Edwards to date.
A move to Selhurst Park could give the attacker the fresh start he needs to reignite his career in England, but no doubt he will be depending on the quality of those around him.
As a result, a move for Sano could be an excellent move for all parties, with the youngster emerging as one of the biggest talents currently plying his trade in Europe.
kodai-sano-palace
The 22-year-old has featured 20 times in the Eredivisie so far this campaign, subsequently registering three goals and four assists in the process.
However, his underlying stats showcase the talent he possesses, with many of the figures he’s produced falling perfectly into the hands of Strand Larsen.
Sano, who’s been dubbed a “dynamo” by one talent scout, has completed 85% of the passes he’s attempted, whilst completing 58% of his take-on attempts.
The aforementioned figures showcase the youngster’s talents in possession, which could make him an excellent option in Glasner’s possession-based system.
Kodai Sano - Eredivisie stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Pass accuracy
Chances created
Big chances created
Dribbles completed
Touches per game
Long balls completed
Stats via FotMob
He’s also created 1.3 chances per 90 this campaign, whilst also 0.4 big chances per 90 - with the latter of the two figures ranking him in the top 15% of all players in the Eredivisie.
Sano’s ability to create chances from a deep-lying position could be perfect for Strand Larsen, with the Norwegian potentially being the beneficiary of his ball-playing ability.
The Japanese star’s all-round quality in possession is further highlighted by his tally of 71 touches per 90 and 2.1 long balls completed - which further could aid the soon-to-be club-record man.
It remains to be seen how far Palace will go to secure the 22-year-old’s signature today, especially after already having an offer rejected before deadline day.
kodai-sano
His £17m asking price could prove to be a bargain if he continues his development, with his arrival arguably being perfect for Strand Larsen in his attempt to hit the ground running.
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