Sports

Crystal Palace Make Contact to Sign Leeds Striker Joel Piroe

Published

3 hours ago

24 January 2026

Crystal Palace are interested in signing Leeds striker Joel Piroe as a potential replacement for Jean-Philippe Mateta, according to Sky Sports.

The Selhurst Park side have reportedly made an enquiry for the 26-year-old Dutchman as they prepare for Mateta’s potential departure before the transfer deadline.

The France international has informed the club he is aiming to end his time in South London this month and has already seen a move to Serie A giants Juventus collapse.

Aston Villa were also linked with a move for Mateta, but have since agreed a deal to bring Tammy Abraham back to the club from Turkish side Besiktas.

Crystal Palace Eyeing Joel Piroe

According to Sky Sports, Leeds are in the market for a new striker and could be open to offloading Piroe before the deadline amid interest from Palace.

However, as things stand, the Elland Road side believe the Dutchman wants to stay and fight for his place in Daniel Farke’s squad, and the club are not expected to push him out the door this month.

Piroe has played just 203 minutes of Premier League football this season, failing to register a goal involvement in 10 appearances.

The Dutchman has yet to start in the league since August and remains below Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lucas Nmecha in Farke’s pecking order.

Piroe enjoyed an impressive 2024/25 campaign in the Championship, scoring 19 goals and providing seven assists in 46 appearances.

The ‘unbelievable’ forward was rewarded with the Championship Golden Boot after ending the campaign as the league’s top scorer and was included in the PFA Team of the Year.

Piroe, who joined Leeds from Swansea in the summer of 2023, is under contract at Elland Road until the end of the 2026/27 season.

Strand Larsen Another Option for Palace

Preparing for Mateta’s potential departure, Palace are believed to have several Premier League strikers on their shortlist, including Wolves frontman Jorgen Strand Larsen.

According to GIVEMESPORT sources, the Eagles have held initial talks regarding a move for the 25-year-old Norway international, who is believed to be available for £40m this month.

Palace could face competition from Leeds for Strand Larsen, who was the subject of a rejected bid from Elland Road earlier this week.

The 25-year-old has scored once in 20 league appearances for Wolves this season and netted his first hat-trick for the Molineux side in the 6-1 win over Shrewsbury in the FA Cup.