Jørgen Strand Larsen’s agent has criticised the British media for fuelling unnecessary drama around the striker’s move to Crystal Palace, describing the reporting during the January window as a “fight” that distorted an already complex negotiation.
The Norway international completed a high-profile deadline-day transfer to Selhurst Park, but his agent believes much of the confusion surrounding the deal was driven by premature and inaccurate reporting.
Agent hits out at transfer speculation
Speaking to VG, Larsen’s agent Tore Pedersen addressed the noise that surrounded the forward’s switch to Crystal Palace, making it clear he was frustrated by how events were portrayed publicly.
Larsen joined Palace in a deal worth €49.7m late in the window, ending a prolonged period of uncertainty following his impressive spell at Wolves. After excelling on loan from Celta Vigo, his move was made permanent for €27m, only for immediate speculation to follow over a potential exit.
Newcastle were heavily linked during the summer as they searched for cover for Alexander Isak, but that move never materialised. By January, Larsen’s desire to leave Wolves had become clear, with Palace emerging as the most serious suitor.
‘It’s a fight to win the news’
Pedersen believes much of the confusion stemmed from media outlets rushing stories before negotiations had reached a conclusion.
“That’s what I think is a bad thing. People report things too early. It’s a fight to win the news,” — Tore Pedersen
He added that modern coverage has removed any sense of privacy from negotiations.
“I miss the old days, when you called a press conference and no one knew about it. That’s not possible anymore,” — Tore Pedersen
Mateta situation added to confusion
The Palace deal unfolded alongside uncertainty over Jean-Philippe Mateta’s future, with the striker initially expected to move to Italy before the transfer collapsed late on due to concerns over a knee issue.
That overlap led to contradictory reports suggesting Palace were simultaneously advancing and abandoning the Larsen deal. In reality, talks continued behind the scenes until the striker signed just an hour before the deadline.
Pedersen stressed that negotiations are rarely straightforward and often require patience.
“There were negotiations between the clubs, and then there are some who report too early. Things take time — and that’s why they’re called negotiations,” — Tore Pedersen
Palace move always likely to go late
Despite the chaos, Pedersen said he was confident a January exit would happen, even if timing remained uncertain.
He explained that deals involving players under long-term contracts naturally drag on, as selling and buying clubs try to protect their interests. As the window progressed, Palace’s position strengthened and they moved to the front of the queue.
Key Insights
- Strand Larsen joined Crystal Palace for €49.7m on deadline day
- His agent criticised early and conflicting media reports
- The Mateta situation added to confusion around the deal
- Pedersen expected a late January move
- Palace emerged as the strongest option as talks progressed
What’s Next
Larsen will now focus on settling at Crystal Palace and establishing himself as a key figure in their attack, while Wolves move on after losing a striker they expected to depart sooner rather than later. For Pedersen, the episode has reinforced how modern transfer reporting can complicate already delicate negotiations.
Did media speculation genuinely affect this deal, or is late-window chaos simply unavoidable in modern transfers?
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