Jorgen Strand
January 2026
Palace are close to a verbal agreement to sign Strand Larsen in a package worth £45m plus up to £5m add-ons, moving ahead of Leeds and potentially clearing the way for Jean-Philippe Mateta to leave before deadline day. Leeds had multiple bids rejected up to £40m and will not go higher; Palace’s stronger offer and progress on fee and personal terms has put them in pole position.
Jean-Philippe Mateta
January 2026
Mateta has reportedly informed Palace he wants to leave, believing the club no longer matches his ambitions. He is unhappy that recruitment assurances and proposed contract terms were not met, and he wants regular European football. Reports say he wanted to go last summer and stalled in late-2025 contract talks hardened his stance. Juventus proposed a loan with conditional purchase, Palace rejected it and set a higher valuation, while Villa and Chelsea have also contacted his camp.
Marc Guehi
January 2026
Reports say Guehi’s private jet aborted a Manchester landing before touching down safely as he travelled to complete a £20 million move, with the timing adding to Glasner’s public frustration. The aborted landing was attributed to runway disruption, and the transfer was framed as Palace avoiding losing Guehi for free in summer; Glasner said he learned of the sale shortly before a match and criticised the club’s handling.
Oliver Glasner
January 2026
Palace leadership moved to calm sack talk and keep Glasner through the end of his contract, despite his public criticism of the club after losing key players and enduring a long winless run. Glasner described the squad as abandoned after Guehi’s sale and transfer noise around Mateta, and the chairman held talks before deciding continuity was preferred; Palace still involved Glasner in January business and expect a turnaround.
Oliver Glasner
January 2026
Glasner publicly attacked Palace’s board after news of a deal to sell captain Guehi to City emerged just before a match, describing the squad as abandoned and hinting at deeper frustration ahead of his own exit at season end. With limited squad availability and ongoing uncertainty, the timing of the Guehi sale became the flashpoint, and Glasner used post-match comments to defend players and condemn the lack of support, with further departures also being discussed around the club.
Marc Guehi
January 2026
City have made a major move for Guehi, presenting personal terms and preparing to negotiate a transfer fee with Palace as his contract runs down. With defensive injuries mounting, City have moved ahead of other suitors and are expected to test Palace with an offer around £30m while trying to close the deal before the window shuts.
Marc Guehi
January 2026
Palace, last season’s FA Cup winners, were dumped out 2-1 by sixth-tier Macclesfield, then Guehi approached angry travelling fans while Glasner said he had no explanation. Macclesfield led through Paul Dawson’s header, doubled it via Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, and survived a late scare after Yeremy Pino’s 90th-minute free-kick. Palace’s half-time triple change failed to complete the comeback.
Eberechi Eze
January 2026
Mikel Arteta has challenged Eberechi Eze after leaving him out in recent league matches despite his strong early-season impact following a £60m move from Crystal Palace. Eze has not played in Arsenal’s last three Premier League games. Arteta said he manages minutes based on physical and emotional state, pointing to Eze playing more football than ever at this stage of a season. With Trossard and Odegaard preferred recently, Eze must raise certain elements to force his way back in.
Brennan Johnson
January 2026
Brennan Johnson has completed a £35m move from Tottenham to Crystal Palace, ending his Spurs spell less than a year after scoring the Europa League final winner. Palace want his pace and goals to fix a recent attacking dip and push on in the league and Europe. Johnson slipped down the pecking order after Thomas Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou, prompting Spurs to accept a deal with Palace. He held role talks with Oliver Glasner and arrives early in the window as Palace prepare for Newcastle and Aston Villa, with attacking rotation also affected by Ismaila Sarr’s AFCON duty.
Jean-Philippe Mateta
January 2026
Manchester United are monitoring Jean-Philippe Mateta if he becomes available, with Crystal Palace talks over a new deal reported to have stalled. United are not planning a January striker buy but could move if conditions change. Palace previously rejected bids up to £50m and Mateta’s stance is shaped by ambitions to play Champions League football. Palace’s situation is also tied to uncertainty around Oliver Glasner’s future, while Brennan Johnson’s arrival is set to boost their attack.
