Jean-Philippe Mateta's 'most likely' destination revealed as Crystal Palace stance clear
Jean-Philippe Mateta is likely to remain at Crystal Palace beyond the end of the summer window despite his contract situation.
The 29-year-old is out of contract at Selhurst Park next year and has turned down multiple offers of new deals over the last 12 months as he continues to weigh up his options.
However, the Eagles are prepared to let the striker run down his contract in exchange for keeping him for one more season as they embark on a Europa League campaign.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Mateta is now "most likely" to stay at Crystal Palace rather than pushing for a move elsewhere.
The France international came close to leaving Selhurst Park in January before failing a medical with AC Milan, but has remained a key player upon his return to action.
Crystal Palace are standing firm in their lofty valuation of the striker and are unlikely to lower his asking price despite his contract situation, deterring rival clubs from making a move.
What is Crystal Palace's plan for Jean-Philippe Mateta?
Brown warned Football Insider last month that Crystal Palace would be "powerless" to keep Mateta if any interested club was willing to offer big money this summer.
Should a club come forward with an offer the Eagles cannot refuse, they will have to let him go, but as things stand no offer has been forthcoming despite the growing interest.
Instead, the Eagles are hopeful of keeping Mateta at Selhurst Park for the coming season, with the likelihood that he will leave on a free transfer in 2027.
"The most likely move for Mateta now is that he stays at Crystal Palace," Brown told Football Insider.
"They're not bothered about selling him this summer, because whatever fee they get for him at this stage is not going to be enough to go out and bring in a replacement.
"From their point of view, they're better off keeping hold of their best striker, finishing higher in the league and going deeper into the Europa League with him in the side.
"What would a fee of, say, £20million do for Crystal Palace compared to keeping Mateta at the club and being a better side because of that?
"From the player's point of view as well, he's a big part of that dressing room at Palace, a big part of their starting XI, he's always been happy there and he's loved by the fans.
"If he believes he can make a big move, then what's stopping him from continuing to prove himself with Palace at a higher level, and then making a move on a free?
"At that point, he'll be able to assess his options and there will probably be more clubs in for him on a free, while Palace have got another season of football out of him."
Which clubs are interested in signing Mateta?
Despite Palace's aims to keep Mateta at Selhurst Park for another season, their stance has done little to deter interest from a number of clubs across Europe and in the Premier League.
AC Milan have been long-term admirers of the striker, although it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to revisit their efforts after his failed medical.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider that Nottingham Forest are still interested in signing Mateta, and could make a move to test Palace's resolve before the deadline.
His performances have placed him firmly on Nottingham Forest's radar as they aim to sign a Premier League proven striker to bolster their ranks.
The France international was a target for Forest in January, while their appointment of Oliver Glasner could see them reignite the interest to reunite the pair.