Jean-Philippe Mateta sends new Crystal Palace message amid Man United transfer links
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has delivered a new update on social media amid rumours that he could be set to leave the Eagles and join Man United this summer.
Mateta was at the forefront of Palace’s success last season as ended their long wait for silverware by winning the FA Cup against Man City in May.
The French striker initially struggled to adapt to the Premier League after he joined the Eagles from German side Mainz back in January 2021, but found form at the start of 2023/24 and has not looked back since.
His impressive 17 strikes in 46 appearances last season has seen him attract transfer attention this summer, as former Man United scout Mick Brown revealed to Football Insider in June that the Red Devils have Mateta on their list of striker targets this summer.
Brown has also told Football Insider that Palace are in talks with Mateta about signing a new contract, with his current deal set to end in 2027, but he is yet to pen fresh terms and could well depart ahead of the new campaign.
Mateta sends one-word message as Palace return to training
Despite those links away, Mateta remains a Palace player for now, and he will be looking to build on his time at Selhurst Park with success in Europe next season with Oliver Glasner’s side set to be partaking in the Conference League after Lyon were reinstated to Ligue 1.
The 28-year-old took to Instagram on Thursday (10 July) to post a series of pictures of him back in pre-season training ahead of the new campaign, with a caption saying: “Back,” alongside a flexed bicep emoji.
Mateta’s message was reacted to by a number of his current and former Eagles teammates, as Daniel Munoz commented: “Boom” with a fire emoji, Trevoh Chalobah replied with a heart-eyes emoji, and the post was liked by Ben Chilwell, Wilfried Zaha, Adam Wharton, Ismaila Sarr and new Man City playmaker Rayan Cherki.
Palace must keep Mateta at all costs
Football Insider verdict
Palace have been guided to their recent success by Glasner, and his tactics have meant that Mateta has grown from a bit-part, struggling striker to a pivotal part of their team over the last few years.
The 28-year-old actually got worse, statistically, last season, as he netted 17 goals in 46 games compared to 19 strikes in 39 outings in 2023/24, but that just shows how impressive he has been at Selhurst Park for a club that was crying out for a new player to step up as their main man after Zaha’s 2023 exit.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 152 | 46 | 11 |
With that said, the Eagles must not let Mateta leave for any figure this summer, especially as they enter European competition, and with fellow key man Eberechi Eze heavily linked with moves to Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
To lose Eze would definitely be a blow, but losing both him and Mateta would potentially be catastrophic going into next season, and so with the England man more likely to make an exit, Palace have to keep hold of their burly French striker and try to tie him down to a new deal amid interest from United.