Crystal Palace 'powerless' to stop Jean-Philippe Mateta joining Nottingham Forest
Crystal Palace will be powerless to stop Jean-Philippe Mateta joining Nottingham Forest if a big offer arrives, sources have told Football Insider.
The 29-year-old has been a target for Forest since the January transfer window, as they aim to land a Premier League-proven striker to provide a regular source of goals.
Oliver Glasner's surprise arrival at the City Ground is likely to have a major impact on their pursuit, while the Eagles have not completely ruled out his departure.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown warned Football Insider that Crystal Palace will be forced to let Mateta leave if they receive an offer they cannot afford to refuse.
Nottingham Forest have been willing to spend big in recent windows and are likely to back Glasner in the market, leading to speculation the striker could be on his list.
With just one year remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park, he could be allowed to leave for the right price, and Forest are one of a number of clubs on alert.
Are Nottingham Forest interested in Jean-Philippe Mateta?
Football Insider revealed last month that Nottingham Forest have retained their strong interest in Mateta and are lining up an offer for the Crystal Palace man.
Forest believe a bid of around £25million could be enough to tempt Palace into selling given his contract situation, and are now preparing to make a move.
Glasner's arrival at the City Ground has only strengthened that interest, and there is a growing feeling that Forest could now look to test their rivals' resolve.
"Crystal Palace might be powerless when it comes to Mateta's future this summer," Brown told Football Insider.
"When you look at his contract situation and the idea that he wanted to move on in January, there is a possibility that they will be made an offer they can't afford to refuse.
"Nottingham Forest are the ones being spoken about at the moment, they are interested in signing a new striker and Mateta would tick a lot of boxes.
"He's scored goals in the Premier League, which instantly makes him an upgrade on their current options, and now Glasner has gone in there as well which is interesting.
"So if Forest come in with a big offer for Mateta, Palace might have no choice but to let him go, because otherwise it might be difficult to keep hold of him."
How do Crystal Palace feel about losing Mateta?
Despite the striker having entered the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace are believed to be relaxed over his future during the summer transfer window.
Should an acceptable offer not be forthcomnig, the Eagles are prepared to allow Mateta to run down his contract in exchange for another season leading the line in South London.
However, Football Insider revealed on 14 June that Crystal Palace will accept big offers for Mateta this summer, as the change to make a decent fee from his sale would be entertained.
He has already turned down multiple offers of new contracts at Palace over the last 12 months and it now looks likely he will be allowed to leave this summer.
The striker scored the goal to win Crystal Palace the Conference League last time out, writing his name into legend in South London, but could now move on.