Aston Villa backed to complete Jean-Philippe Mateta deal after giants pull the plug
Jean-Philippe Mateta has been heavily linked with a move to Aston Villa before the transfer window closes on 2 February.
Crystal Palace want to keep hold of Mateta, but the 28-year-old is understood to be keen on a move away from Selhurst Park.
Palace have set a £40million asking price for Mateta, with that valuation leading to Juventus dropping out of the race for his signature.
However, Villa remain keen on securing a deal for Mateta as they look to strengthen their attacking options.
The France international’s contract in south London runs until June 2027.
Why Juventus ‘wasted time’ in Jean-Philippe Mateta talks
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider Juventus were never going to pay Palace’s £40m asking price for Mateta.
AC Milan have also been linked with the striker, but it remains unclear whether the Serie A giants can afford such a deal.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “Well, Crystal Palace are just in a mode of, ‘Okay, if you want to go, you can go as long as we get our fee’, and the fee they’ve set is £40m.
“It’s not a surprise Juventus can’t afford that. I don’t know. I think there was a lot of wasted time there. These Italian clubs largely just do not have that kind of cash to be able to do those kinds of deals, particularly Juventus.
“They might be in the play-offs, but they’re not going to go much further in the Champions League, not at that level I don’t think.
“What tends to happen a lot of the time for the Italian clubs is they’ve already spent this year’s money by doing deals last year that are loan with a view to buy, so they’re always looking at what’s coming in next year. I think it’s hard to get the money out of the Italian clubs.”
Why Aston Villa are well placed to agree Mateta deal
Borson insisted Mateta would be a “solid signing” for Villa if they can get a deal over the line.
“I think Crystal Palace have got a much better bet getting the money out of Villa,” said Borson.
“It would not surprise me if he ends up at Villa. I think that feels like a solid signing for Villa, given where they are in the Premier League, given where they are in the Europa League.
“It makes a lot of sense if they can manage to find a way without breaching their various restrictions. It makes a lot of sense to get Mateta on board.”
Mateta has registered 10 goals and two assists in 34 appearances for Oliver Glasner’s side this season.
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