Crystal Palace plan to ‘accept’ Jean-Philippe Mateta offer after Nottingham Forest news
Crystal Palace are prepared to accept an offer for Jean-Philippe Mateta before the transfer window closes as a result of his desire to move on.
This comes after news broke that Nottingham Forest are prepared to pay £35million for the 28-year-old to lure him to the City Ground ahead of rival clubs.
However, Football Insider first revealed on 26 January that Crystal Palace will demand £40million for Mateta, particularly if they are selling to Premier League rivals.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the Eagles are prepared to let the striker leave rather than keep an unhappy player at the club.
Should they receive an offer which better reflects their valuation, there is hope they will be able to replace him with interest in both Jorgen Strand Larsen and Sidiki Cherif.
Crystal Palace prepared to accept Jean-Philippe Mateta offer
Brown told Football Insider on 11 January that Crystal Palace are concerned about Mateta’s form, which can now be explained by his head being elsewhere.
Juventus and Aston Villa have also been heavily linked with the striker, while there is long-term interest from Man United and AC Milan, and he could now be set to leave.
“I believe Crystal Palace are prepared to let him go,” Brown told Football Insider.
“To a large extend, it’s been taken out of their hands because he’s made it clear he wants to leave, and he’s not happy at the club any more.
“I’ve heard whispers for a while that he’s been testing the waters about a potential move away, he wanted to see who was interested and his agent was put to work.
“Amongst all of that, he was picked in the France squad which only added to the situation.
“Crystal Palace don’t want to keep unhappy players at the club, because then you run the risk of things spiralling, or you’re left with a player who isn’t at his usual level.
“I think we’re seeing that from Mateta at the moment, his head is clearly elsewhere, and if somebody wants to meet Palace’s valuation then they’ll accept it.
“The crucial thing then is that they go and get a replacement because they can’t afford to weaken the squad any more than it already has been.”
Crystal Palace set sights on signing Mateta replacement
Amid the ongoing speculation surrounding Mateta’s future, Palace are already eyeing potential replacements should they need to act in the window’s closing stages.
Football Insider first revealed on 23 January that Crystal Palace want to sign Strand Larsen and have identified him as their first-choice striker target.
There is no shortage of interest in the striker this month, however, after Leeds made a formal offer to Wolves with the likes of Nottingham Forest also plotting a move.
Palace sporting director Matt Hobbs has strong connections at Wolves after his time there and is believed to be leading the pursuit of Strand Larsen.
Football Insider revealed on 10 January that Wolves will demand £40million for Strand Larsen this month and are reluctant to sell despite the growing interest.
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