‘Crystal Palace set to make Evann Guessand decision as Mateta resolve is tested’
Crystal Palace could accelerate their interest in Evann Guessand after a bid was made for striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
After initially struggling — scoring just seven goals in his first two Premier League seasons combined — Mateta has exploded into life since Oliver Glasner became Crystal Palace manager, notching 30 goals and five assists in 59 appearances under the Austrian.
Mateta’s form helped Crystal Palace win last season’s FA Cup, sealing their first-ever major trophy and maiden European campaign — though they have been demoted to the Uefa Conference League after John Textor broke multi-club ownership rules.
But that success has also brought links of a move away from Selhurst Park for Mateta this summer, with the Eagles facing a battle to keep hold of their star striker.
Atalanta lodge Mateta bid following Retegui sale
Manchester United are rumoured to be interested in Mateta this summer as they seek to solve their goalscoring woes from last season.
As recently as 12 June, former Man United scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the Red Devils were keeping tabs on Mateta, despite Crystal Palace working on a new contract for the 28-year-old.
The two parties are yet to come to an agreement, meaning there is still a chance for United.
However, they now face competition after Atalanta lodged a £30million bid for Mateta.
Palace have rejected that bid, and while Atalanta have Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz on their list of alternative targets, they may well come back for another go at Mateta after making £56m on the sale of last season’s Serie A top scorer, Mateo Retegui, to Saudi side Al-Qadsiah (BBC, 21 July).
Crystal Palace to accelerate Guessand interest amid Mateta uncertainty
https://x.com/ChrisWheatley/status/1948845488741969950Whether through a bidding war between multiple clubs or Atalanta using the Retegui money, there is a very real possibility that Palace could lose Mateta this summer.
The Eagles must be primed to replace the former Mainz striker should that happen, and Evann Guessand could be the solution.
| 2024/25 stats | Evann Guessand |
| Appearances | 42 |
| Goals | 13 |
| Assists | 10 |
Guessand is a product of the Nice youth system and had a breakout 2024/25 campaign, registering 13 goals and 10 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions — including 12 goals and nine assists in 33 Ligue 1 outings.
Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke recently revealed (6 July) that Spurs were battling Fenerbahce for the signature of Guessand.
However, Palace appear to have entered the race, with Sporting News journalist Chris Wheatley reporting on 25 July that the South Londoners were in ‘pole position’ in the battle to sign the Ivory Coast international and ‘confident of getting it done’.