Alexander Sørloth arrived at Crystal Palace in January 2018 as an unknown entity. He struggled at Selhurst Park and eventually left on loan. Firstly to Genk towards the end of the 2018/29 season, then to Trabzonspor, where the Norwegian set the Super Lig alight.
On the back of his exceptional form in 2019/20, the 24-year-old attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur earlier this week. But he now looks set to join RB Leipzig for an estimated £22 million.
Alexander Sørloth: Crystal Palace Outcast to European Prospect
Sørloth Unwanted at Palace
Question marks were raised about Sørloth’s ability at the end of the 2017/18 season at Palace. A young, raw talent who seemed physically suited for the demands of the Premier League sorely lacked confidence.
Sørloth’s work-rate was commendable when he occasionally featured. But his movement and ability to threaten defenders with and without the ball was non-existent.
During his 16 Premier League appearances for Palace, Sørloth made 12 from the bench. He failed to find the net in the league and his sole goal for the Eagles came in a 1-0 win away at Swansea City in the 2018/19 Carabao Cup.
There was little return for Palace on their £9 million fee paid to Danish club FC Midtjylland. Sørloth’s playing time diminished under Roy Hodgson for much of the 2018/19 season, often unnamed in Palace’s squad or an unused substitute. Sorlorth’s only sustained playing time came in the three Carabao Cup ties and one FA Cup fixture against Grimsby Town.
Genk and Trabzonspor Revival
With little opportunity at Palace, Sørloth went to Belgian club KAA Gent in January 2018. The striker seemed more akin to the Pro League and contributed eight goals in 22 appearances for the club.
Palace, however, were still not convinced the Norwegian prospect could deliver at Selhurst Park upon his return. Sørloth was then loaned out again to Trabzonspor on a two-year loan deal with the option to buy for £5.5 million, at the beginning of the 2019/20 season.
Sørloth hit the ground running in Turkey, scoring six and assisting three goals in his first nine appearances for Trabzonspor. This set the tone for 24-year-old’s sensational season where he scored 33 goals in 49 appearances. He looked a different player to the downcast figure ambling around the Selhurst Park pitch in 2018.
Trabzonspor wanted to sign Sørloth permanently from Palace. But their ban from UEFA competitions for breaching financial fair play rules left Sørloth in search of elite European football elsewhere.
RB Leipzig now appear to be frontrunners to sign the Norwegian striker for £22 million as a replacement for Timo Werner. The fee will reportedly be split evenly between Trabzonspor and Palace.
Palace’s Loss?
With Palace struggling for goals last season, perhaps the Eagles would have benefitted from Sørloth’s ability in front of goal. They were the second-lowest scorers in the division last season with 31 goals from 38 games. Jordan Ayew scored nearly 30% of their goals and finished as the club’s top-scorer with nine in the Premier League.
It will always be a case of what could have been for Palace. However, if they can gain the reported £11 million for the Norwegian striker and, or at least, re-coup the £9 million paid for Sørloth, there probably won’t be too many disappointed in South East London at his departure.
Main Photo
