Jean-Philippe Mateta backed to agree Nottingham Forest deal ‘before the deadline’
Nottingham Forest have made a move to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta as they look to strengthen their attacking options.
It is understood Mateta wants to leave Palace before the transfer window closes on Monday (2 February).
Palace are demanding £40million for Mateta, having turned down a £35m bid from Forest for the 28-year-old.
Oliver Glasner’s side have been in talks with Wolves over a deal for Jorgen Strand Larsen as they line up a replacement for Mateta.
Fabrizio Romano reported on Thursday (29 January) Palace have agreed to sign Strand Larsen, with the deal worth an initial £45m and £5m in add-ons.
Why Crystal Palace are open to Jean-Philippe Mateta sale
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider he expects Mateta to agree a move to Forest before the window closes.
However, that deal is likely to be dependent on Palace securing a replacement, with reports suggesting Strand Larsen’s move to Selhurst Park could be set to collapse.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “I don’t think they keep both him and Strand Larsen, but I think they’re in the mindset of selling Mateta.
“I think he’ll go to Forest, it looks like to me. It doesn’t look like that difficult of a deal to do if they’re that close to the deal.
“Mateta seems to have effectively ostracised all of the Palace fans as well. They seem very keen to get rid.”
Mateta has registered 10 goals and two assists in 34 appearances this season after contributing 17 goals and four assists in 46 outings in the previous campaign.
How Crystal Palace could respond to Jorgen Strand Larsen U-turn
Borson insisted he expects Strand Larsen and Mateta to both secure moves before the transfer deadline.
“If they can’t sign Strand Larsen, are they really going to leave themselves short?”, said Borson.
“Well, maybe not if they’ve got a relegation fear. But I think Strand Larsen will go before the deadline and, therefore, I think Mateta will go before the deadline as well.
“I think Mateta looks like he’s going to end up at Forest. I just don’t see much reason why that won’t happen at this stage.”
Strand Larsen has registered six goals and two assists in 25 outings for struggling Wolves this season, but only one of those strikes came in the Premier League.
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