‘Crystal Palace plan to hold Mateta talks’ after Arsenal latest
Crystal Palace remain determined to agree a new contract for Jean-Philippe Mateta amid interest from the likes of Arsenal and Man United.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Palace will hold sit-down talks with Mateta in the off-season.
The 27-year-old remains a crucial part of Oliver Glasner’s plans for the future and the boss has no intention of seeing his star striker leave this summer,
This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Arsenal are weighing up a move for Mateta after sending scouts to track his performances this season.
The Frenchman has scored 16 goals and provided three assists in 36 appearances so far this season, once again catching the eye of a number of potential suitors.
Man United have also been linked with Mateta, whose contract in South London is set to run until 2027, as they look to solve their striker problem.
Crystal Palace plan sit-down talks with Jean-Philippe Mateta
Brown told Football Insider on 21 February that Palace want to keep Mateta and hope a significant asking price will ward off potential suitors.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted the Eagles will hold sit-down talks to resolve his future in the coming weeks.
“It comes as no surprise Palace want to keep Mateta,” he told Football Insider.
“From what I hear, they’re going to sit down with him soon because he’s such an important player there.
“Look at the goals he’s scored and what that has meant for Palace.
“He’s done brilliantly for Crystal Palace and made a really strong reputation for himself.
“He’s a Crystal Palace player – he’s made for that role, he’s loving it there under Glasner and he fits in perfectly with the way they play there.
“He’s a far more valuable player to Palace than he would be to Arsenal.
“So I think they’ll be doing everything they can to reach an agreement over a new contract.
“It makes sense for all parties if they can come to an agreement to keep him at Selhurst Park.”
Arsenal “would love” to sign Eberechi Eze in summer transfer latest
Mateta is not the only Crystal Palace player to be linked with a move to Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer window, as Eberechi Eze is also on their list of targets.
Brown told Football Insider that Arsenal would love to sign Eze as Mikel Arteta wants to add some “X-factor” to his squad after their creative issues this season.
However, Brown explained the 26-year-old will have to remain consistent for the rest of the season to prove he is capable of making the step up.
Eze has a release clause worth £60million in his contract at Selhurst Park and the Eagles are unwilling to let him leave for anything less than that price.
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