Crystal Palace are ‘not prepared to meet’ Jean-Philippe Mateta’s demands
Crystal Palace may be powerless if Jean-Philippe Mateta wants to force through a move to a Champions League club.
That is according to football finance expert Dr Dan Plumley who has exclusively told Football Insider that Crystal Palace may lose another star player from their squad.
Mateta has ambitions to play in the Champions League, and the Frenchman may not be able to be convinced about staying at Selhurst Park.
Contract talks between Mateta and Crystal Palace have stalled, with the 28-year-olds contract expiring in 2027.
Crystal Palace ‘can’t compete with Champions League wages’
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley states that Crystal Palace would not be able to match wages at Champions League clubs.
“If that player is dead set on the Champions League, he isn’t going to get that with Crystal Palace right now,” Plumley stated.
“And if, you know, if he has got demands that, again, Palace are not prepared to meet, or, you know, if he’s catching the attention of Champions League clubs, we know they’ll be able to give him more money.
“And, again, that is the kind of reality of where Crystal Palace are at. I don’t mean that in a bad way.
“I think there’s a lot to be said for being a stable Premier League club at the minute, but it is tough without your best players.
“And, of course, you know, we saw [Eberechi] Eze in the summer. We will be talking about Marc Guehi again in January and now Mateta as well. But, yeah, Palace can’t compete with Champions League wages. It’s just not feasible.”
Crystal Palace star in contract talks
Crystal Palace face losing manager Oliver Glasner and defender Marc Guehi, as both have contracts expiring at the end of the season.
Midfielder Daichi Kamada is in talks over a new contract at Crystal Palace to stop him also potentially leaving on a free transfer.
If Glasner is to agree to new terms at Crystal Palace, then the Austrian will be keen to keep his best players at the club.