Keith Wyness shares verdict on Jean-Philippe Mateta's legal position as he 'agitates' for Crystal Palace move

Jean-Philippe Mateta has made himself look "silly" with his contract dispute against Crystal Palace.

That is according to former Everton chief executive and ex-Premier League board member Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who is "glad" that the Frenchman will have to honour the remainder of his contract with the Eagles.

This comes after the 28-year-old and his camp tried to argue that his final year at Selhurst Park should not be considered legally binding, as it was triggered via an automatic extension clause.

However, Wyness made it clear that he has little sympathy for the frontman, given that he was the one who agreed to the terms of his initial deal back in 2022.

Mateta has been heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Park once again this summer, and Aston Villa have already seen an offer for him rejected in the aftermath of his legal dispute.

Wyness feels that Mateta's camp were "trying to split legal hairs" with their contract argument, and now feels that the relationship with Palace is likely to be over.

Jean-Philippe Mateta won't see out contract

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Mateta will now "agitate" for a move at every chance he gets before his contract expires next summer.

He also expects the Eagles to be willing to take their final opportunity to cash in on their star, even if that does not come in this window.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness made it clear why it is good for the game that Mateta's contract was upheld.

"I think the argument, as I understand it, was that a year's option is so one-sided that it should not be enforceable because, in law, there should be reasonableness about any clauses like this," he said.

"I'm afraid it was signed willingly by the player. There have been so many precedents of options being taken up. I don't know how he can think to argue. 

"Obviously, he's decided that he wants to try and agitate for a move. His agent's got somebody somewhere with a legal opinion that said they can try and go for this. But look, it's obviously a sign the player's not happy.

"It's proven that it's enforceable for Palace, but then I think they'll probably look to sell at some stage. I'm pleased to see this one fail because this is just trying to split legal hairs to try and make a point, and I think it's made him look a little bit silly.

"We've all heard about options, and it's been a common thing in football for a very long time. To try and erode that system is wrong, so I'm glad to see that Meteta will have to honour his contract in that position."

Mateta on Tottenham's radar

Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Tottenham are waiting in the wings to potentially launch a move for Mateta ahead of the deadline.

The Lilywhites are one of several clubs who have been watching the striker's contract dispute unfold with growing interest.

They are waiting for the right opportunity to pounce on a deal, and could look to exploit Palace's growing need to sell after the dispute.

Villa remain the only club to have made an offer for the striker at this stage, but Spurs could soon follow suit before 1 September.