Jean-Philippe Mateta ‘testing the waters’ over Crystal Palace exit after contract news
Jean-Philippe Mateta is assessing his options ahead of a potential move away from Crystal Palace after delays in talks over a new contract.
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 28-year-old and his agent are assessing the level of interest in his signature.
Mateta remains a crucial part of Oliver Glasner‘s plans for the future, but his contract is set to expire in 2027, and Palace could be forced to cash in if he doesn’t commit to new terms.
Football Insider revealed Crystal Palace will turn down offers for Mateta in January after also rejecting moves during the summer window.
However, this comes after reports have claimed that Mateta is open to leaving Selhurst Park due to his contract sitaution, with a move to the Serie A in his sights.
Jean-Philippe Mateta considering Crystal Palace exit
Brown told Football Insider in October that Crystal Palace could accept offers for Mateta after struggling to make progress in ongoing contract talks.
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 while Palace could yet close the gap to his wage demands and now have a decision to make.
“Mateta is testing the waters over a move,” he told Football Insider.
“He and his agent will be assessing what interest there is, how strong the interest is, and whether those clubs would be prepared to make a move for him.
“He’s playing well and scoring goals, for Palace and for France, and then there’s the contract situation where they’ve not been able to reach an agreement.
“At the moment, we don’t know how much that dispute is over, because if it’s a reasonable amount then Palace will have a decision to make.
“They’ll have to weigh up whether paying the extra wages will save them money, compared to going into the transfer market to try and find a replacement for him.
“I would suggest that Palace would be willing to bridge that gap, because they don’t want to lose him, but if it’s a substantial figure then that changes things.”
Tottenham among clubs in queue to sign Mateta
Mateta was subject to a number of offers during the summer transfer window, with Tottenham, Liverpool and Atalanta all making moves throughout the window.
Liverpool held talks with Mateta’s representatives, while Tottenham saw a late enquiry dismissed, and Atalanta saw a £30million offer turned down.
Meanwhile, the Eagles received a mega-money £50million offer during the window from an unnamed Champions League club, but turned it down.
Football Insider revealed last month that Tottenham are interested in signing Mateta as they aim to strengthen up front in the mid-season transfer window.
A £50m sale would have represented Palace’s second-highest fee received following Eberechi Eze’s £67.5million move to Arsenal, but he was seen as too important to Glasner’s side.
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