Crystal Palace ‘tempted’ by ‘huge’ Jean-Philippe Mateta offer after contract blow
Jean-Philippe Mateta has endured a strong start to the season with Crystal Palace despite frustrations surrounding their recent dip in form.
Oliver Glasner’s side lost 1-0 against Arsenal on 26 October, and have now gone four games without winning after games against Everton, Bournemouth and AEK Larnaca.
Despite their turn of form on the pitch, there are also concerns behind the scenes at Palace, with concerns growing surrounding Mateta’s future in South London.
During the summer, Liverpool held talks with Mateta’s representatives, while Tottenham saw a late enquiry dismissed, and Atalanta saw a £30million offer turned down.
However, the Eagles could be forced to change their stance on the striker’s situation despite ongoing contract talks taking place at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace to be tempted by huge Jean-Philippe Mateta offer
Football Insider revealed on 24 October that Crystal Palace could be forced to let Mateta leave if he does not commit to extending his deal at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles successfully deterred interest for the striker during the summer, but after another strong start to the season, they are braced for renewed moves for his signature.
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 could be tempted to sell Mateta to avoid a similar situation to that of Marc Guehi.
“There is a possibility Mateta could leave in the summer,” he told Football Insider.
“It’s going to take some judgement on Palace’s end to assess how they think the discussions are going, and then to plan accordingly.
“If it starts becoming clear that he’s not going to sign, they want to maximise the fee they’re going to get.
“I don’t think they’ll let it get to the same situation with Guehi where if they don’t take the offer he’s going to leave on a free, they’ll sell him before that.
“So in the summer, I’m sure if he hasn’t signed a contract, Palace will be tempted by offers for him.
“Given his importance to the team, they could well be huge offers, and there are a number of clubs who need a striker and will be willing to pay big money to get one.
“Obviously, Palace don’t want to lose him, but they could end up in a situation where they have to.”
This comes after Football Insider revealed Crystal Palace will turn down offers for Mateta in January after also rejecting moves during the summer window.
Mateta contract update emerges at Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are continuing plans to keep Mateta with a new contract likely to be offered, while he is believed to be happy at Selhurst Park.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider that Mateta is happy at Palace, but there have been whispers about a move away while he was on international duty.
Mateta scored against Iceland on his first start for France, but there have since been suggestions that he could make a step up at club level.
He hinted about his future as he explained: “When you arrive in the national team and around you, there are only players who play in the Champions League, who win the biggest trophies.
“When you play surrounded by the best players in the world, naturally you want to reach that milestone.” [RMC Sport]
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