Crystal Palace Could Brutally Snuff Out Wolves Revival with January Raid for £44m-Rated Gem

As the January transfer window looms, Crystal Palace find themselves at a fascinating and potentially dramatic crossroads. Bolstered by a climb up the Premier League table and eyeing continued progress domestically and in Europe, the Eagles are plotting reinforcements that could not only enhance their ambitions but deal a significant blow to a beleaguered Wolverhampton Wanderers side desperate to salvage their season.

At the centre of the swirling rumours is a prospective raid on Wolves’ squad a move that could snuff out the Wolves’ hopes of revival by depriving them of some of their brightest assets. Specifically, Palace are being linked with striker Jørgen Strand Larsen and midfielder João Gomes, two names that have dominated recent transfer gossip across UK media outlets.

Wolves: From Mid-Table Battlers to Relegation Favourites

Once solidly established in the Premier League’s middle tier, Wolverhampton Wanderers have endured a painful slide in 2025-26. The Molineux club currently languishes at or near the bottom of the table after a run of poor results, leaving them rooted to the foot of the division and cut adrift from safety.

Wolves’ struggles aren’t only down to bad luck — the squad have consistently failed to convert promising moments into goals, and defensive frailties have seen them concede at crucial junctures. Combined with managerial changes and squad instability, a revival from this position would require real momentum and continuity both now in short supply.

Palace’s Rise and Why January Matters

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace under Oliver Glasner have quietly enjoyed a strong campaign. Elevated into the top four after notable victories, including a 2-0 win at Wolves’ Molineux Stadium, Palace have positioned themselves as genuine European contenders, a remarkable turnaround from seasons past.

Despite this surge, Glasner has been candid that his squad still needs January reinforcements particularly to add real goal threat and depth if Palace are to juggle Premier League, cup, and European commitments effectively.

Crystal Palace have already made moves this winter sealing a club-record transfer for Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal around £35m but the manager and recruitment team are clearly reluctant to stop there.

The £44m-Rated Target: Jørgen Strand Larsen

At the heart of the speculation lies Jørgen Strand Larsen, the Norwegian forward who arrived at Wolves amid high hopes but has struggled to replicate his previous scoring form in the 2025-26 season.

Though not every report places a strict £44m valuation on him, sources indicate Wolves could command a substantial fee for the 25-year-old striker if they are forced into selling particularly with relegation looming and finances tightening. Multiple outlets have confirmed that Crystal Palace have joined the chase alongside West Ham, who have also shown interest in bringing Strand Larsen in during the January window.

Strand Larsen’s situation encapsulates a broader Wolves dilemma: a player of genuine attacking promise stuck in a side that can’t provide the service he needs. Last season he scored 14 goals, attracting attention from clubs like Newcastle United; this term has been far tougher but Palace see the potential and believe his profile fits their attacking needs.

If Palace were to complete a move for Strand Larsen — even in the face of competition it would deal a double blow to Wolves: depriving them of one of their few proven attacking weapons and strengthening a Premier League rival in the process.

Add João Gomes to the Mix? A Midfield Power Play

Even beyond Strand Larsen, Palace are also reportedly keeping tabs on Wolves midfielder João Gomes, a Brazilian engine room presence who has drawn interest from multiple clubs ahead of January.

Gomes is valued as one of Wolves’ more technically gifted players and could command a significant fee potentially in the region of mid-double figures depending on market interest and Wolves’ desperation to sell. If Palace were to pursue both a forward and a midfielder from Wolves, the impact on the struggling club’s ability to mount any sort of revival would be profound.

Palace’s interest in Gomes speaks to their desire for balance: someone capable of linking defence and attack with composure, while also bringing physicality and tactical discipline to the midfield.

The Strategic Implications

To understand the full stakes of a January raid, it’s important to look beyond a simple purchase:

For Crystal Palace:

Boost attacking options: Palace have created plenty of chances this season but often lacked ruthlessness in front of goal. Adding a player like Strand Larsen would increase their goal threat and give Glasner greater flexibility.
Squad depth for a packed schedule: Competing on multiple fronts means injuries and fatigue are inevitable; January buys could be decisive.
Signalling ambition: Reinforcing with players linked to Premier League clubs sends a strong message about Palace’s intentions domestically and in Europe.

For Wolves:

Financial pressures: Relegation candidates often must sell valuable players if they can, even if it damages their performance prospects.
Loss of top talent: Letting a player like Strand Larsen still viewed as one of the division’s better forwards go to a direct Premier League rival could be catastrophic for survival hopes.
Diminished morale: Losing key players mid-season can sap confidence and make a recovery far more difficult.

Counter-Arguments: Could Palace Miss Out?

Of course, there are scenarios where this dramatic January move fails to materialise:

Wolves might refuse to sell mid-season, especially to a top-flight rival preferring to keep key players until the summer.
Palace valuation disagreements could derail negotiations, with Wolves potentially pricing Palace out or demanding add-on conditions that Glasner’s club won’t accept.
Competition from other suitors especially for a striker with prior Premier League success could reduce Palace’s chances of securing top targets.

What Fans Are Saying

Palace supporters online have been vocal about the need for January additions, though there’s scepticism about how much the club will spend versus how much they should. Some fans argue that Palace need defensive reinforcements as much as attacking ones, while others see the Wanda targets as dreams more than realistic transfers. (Fan discussions via online forums reflect this mix of hope and cautious realism.)

Conclusion: A Window of Opportunity and Risk

As the January window approaches, few storylines are as provocative as this one: Crystal Palace plotting moves that might both accelerate their rise and further imperil Wolves’ already faltering campaign.

Whether Palace can actually land a £40m-plus striker and potentially a proven midfielder from Wolves remains to be seen. But the mere suggestion of such a transfer underscores the shifting balance in the Premier League where mid-table clubs with momentum can look to exploit the vulnerabilities of others.

For Wolves, the fear will be that a club like Palace could take not just a player, but a piece of their future, effectively snuffing out any lingering hopes of a revival. And for Palace, it represents a bold gambit: to invest in players not just for improvement, but to undermine a rival in the same division.

Either way, both clubs’ fortunes in the second half of the season could well hinge on what happens in the next few weeks.