Crystal Palace ‘set sights on top-class striker’ after Jean-Philippe Mateta update
Crystal Palace are planning to sign a new striker when the January transfer window opens amid concerns about the future of Jean-Philippe Mateta.
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 the Eagles are assessing a number of potential attacking additions.
Oliver Glasner’s side lost 1-0 to Tottenham last time out in a performance which once again underlined their profligacy and inefficiency in front of goal.
Mateta has been carrying a knee injury amid Palace’s relentless run of fixtures and has struggled for form as a result, with no goals in his last five league games.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed earlier this month that Crystal Palace could be forced to sell Mateta after contract talks fell through over a wage dispute.
Jean-Philippe Mateta sparks Crystal Palace concerns
Brown told Football Insider last month that Mateta is considering leaving Crystal Palace, forcing the Eagles to assess potential alternatives in the transfer market.
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 that Palace have already identified a number of targets for the mid-season window.
“There are a few concerns about Jean-Philippe Mateta,” he told Football Insider.
“Crystal Palace have been struggling in front of goal recently and he isn’t showing anything to suggest he’s going to start firing again.
“He’s starting to look like the old Mateta when he first came in at Palace, things aren’t quite falling for him and they’re not getting him into those dangerous positions.
“All strikers have a dip in form at one time or another, it’s almost unavoidable, but this has come at a time when there’s also a lot of talk about whether he might leave Palace.
“So from their point of view, it makes sense for them to be looking at new strikers and whether they might be able to bring in a top-class striker.
“They’ve identified a few targets, and I’m told it’s something they’ve been looking at for a while, so if the opportunity comes up in January they might look to do something.”
Crystal Palace close in on Brennan Johnson deal
While a central striker remains high on the Eagles’ list of targets, the addition of a new wide forward has also been important to Glasner’s plans.
Brown first told Football Insider on 14 December that Crystal Palace want to sign Brennan Johnson, who will be allowed to leave Tottenham in January.
Palace have now had an offer worth around £35million accepted for the Wales international, although he has yet to make a decision about his destination.
Bournemouth are also interested in Johnson and are expected to match Palace’s bid, with the likes of Brentford and Ipswich also keen on the winger.
Palace are pushing to get the deal over the line as soon as possible amid concerns about their lack of attacking depth, but the decision will rest with the player.
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