Crystal Palace submit club-record bid to secure best signing since Wharton

Over the past five or six years, Crystal Palace have certainly made their fair share of signings of unlucky players, but they’ve also made some exceptional players.

For example, they may have left, but Michael Oliseh, Ebelesi Eze and Marc Guehi were, and still are, among the best players in the Premier League.

Similarly, Jean-Philippe Mateta has been one of the best strikers in the league in recent years, although he now looks set to move to Italy.

Another name on the incredible list of reinforcements but who will remain in south London for a little longer is Adam Wharton. If reports are to be believed, Crystal Palace look set to make their biggest signing since the Englishman.

Crystal Palace aim for best signing since Wharton

To say it’s been a busy month for Palace on the transfer front would be a huge understatement.

In addition to those departures, the South Londoners also acquired several players, including Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur and Evan Guesand from Aston Villa.

Not satisfied with just two additions to the first team, the club is now considering signing a third. A player who could end up being the best signing since the great Wharton.

At least that’s according to a Sunday lunchtime report from The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who claims Crystal Palace still have a strong interest in Jorgen Strand Larsen.

The reporter claims Palace have made the club’s biggest ever bid of £43.5 million plus £5 million, and are currently negotiating with his agent Jorge Mendes.

Ornstein went on to suggest there was a “strong possibility” Wolves would accept an offer of the same amount, with Palace aiming to complete a deal in time for Strand-Larsen’s arrival before Monday evening’s 7pm deadline.

Behind the scenes, Milan are continuing to move towards acquiring Mateta.

Why Strand Larsen is Palace’s best signing since Wharton

The first thing to say is that Palace have made a fantastic signing since acquiring Wharton from Blackburn Rovers in January 2024.

For example, Yérémy Pinot, Ismaila Sarr, Daichi Kamata, etc. all have a huge influence south of the river.

Furthermore, it can be said that this British player is a notch higher in quality than Strand Larsen.

However, there are still two reasons why the Wolverhampton Wanderers player could be the Eagles’ best signing since the midfielder, the first being based on what the team needs.

For example, the South Londoners currently have the seventh best defense in the Premier League and will struggle without Guehi, but they have enough talent there to get things going.

But when it comes to points, the Eagles are actually the third-worst team in the entire division, with just 24.

Unfortunately, their poor attack is likely to get even worse with Mateta’s departure, so with the urgent need for a striker, this forward will be one of their best additions in a long time.

But it’s not just necessity that makes the forward, described by former Wolves manager Vitor Pereira as “phenomenal”, a great deal.

After all, despite a lackluster performance this season, the former Celta Vigo star has proven that he can be a reliable force.

For example, despite playing for a lackluster team last season, the Norwegian had an impressive 14 goals and 5 assists in 38 games and 2,821 minutes.

This works out to an average of being involved in a goal every other game, or every 148.47 minutes.

And the previous season, the Halden-born poacher made 39 appearances for Spain, scoring 13 goals and providing three assists.

After all, while he may not be a world-class forward, Strand-Larsen could be a very useful addition for Palace this month, possibly their best signing since Wharton due to their attacking misfire.