The January transfer window proved difficult for Crystal Palace, marked by departures and uncertainty, but the club appears to have secured a significant addition in Jorgen Strand Larsen. The arrival of the Wolves striker, agreed upon for a fee of £48m including add-ons, comes as Palace also navigate the potential exit of Jean-Philippe Mateta to AC Milan.
The turbulence began with the departure of Marc Guehi to Manchester City for a reported £20m, a move seemingly motivated by Palace’s desire to capitalize on his value before his contract expired. Adding to the instability, manager Oliver Glasner confirmed he would be leaving Selhurst Park at the end of June.
Despite these challenges, Palace moved quickly to address their attacking options, bringing in Strand Larsen, currently undergoing a medical. The deal, if finalized, would surpass the previous club record transfer fee of £35m paid for Brennan Johnson earlier this month.
Meanwhile, NEC Nijmegen midfielder Kodai Sano has been a target for Crystal Palace, though a final bid has not materialized. Sano, who was reportedly considering a move after his current stint with NEC, has ultimately remained with the club, acknowledging that the past ten days had been difficult as he weighed his options. He expressed a desire to take the next step in his career, but ultimately decided to stay.
Sano had previously indicated his desire to move on from NEC, stating, I had a step I wanted to take.
However, NEC manager Dick Schreuder expressed understanding of Sano’s situation, saying, If he had left the club, I would have understood that very well.
Schreuder also noted Sano’s positive attitude, describing him as cheerful.
Ajax also showed interest in Sano, even submitting a final bid, but ultimately withdrew from the pursuit. The Dutch club’s interest highlights Sano’s growing reputation as a promising midfielder.
The situation with Sano unfolded against a backdrop of broader Eredivisie activity, with PSV Eindhoven demonstrating dominant form with a 3-0 victory over Feyenoord. This result further solidified PSV’s position at the top of the league table, holding a commanding 17-point lead.
Elsewhere in European football, Ayase Ueda of Feyenoord and Takefusa Kubo are players to watch, as noted in scouting reports ahead of a USMNT friendly against Japan scheduled for September 8, 2025. The USMNT lost their opening match of the international window against South Korea 2-0.
In the Premier League, Manchester United saw a notable moment on October 26, 2025, with both Casemiro and Matheus Cunha scoring in the same game – a first in the club’s history.
The transfer activity and player movements across various leagues underscore the dynamic nature of the sport. Crystal Palace’s efforts to rebuild their squad following key departures, coupled with Sano’s decision to remain at NEC, represent just a snapshot of the ongoing changes within the football landscape.
