‘Liverpool eye last-minute Mateta signing after Isak and Ekitike latest’
Liverpool have considered a move to sign Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta amid their ongoing pursuit of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson explained that their pursuit of the 28-year-old is nothing more than a contingency plan as they push for A-list targets.
Should deals for both Isak and Ekitike fall through, with Newcastle keen to keep their star man and Frankfurt playing hard-ball over their asking price, Mateta will become an option.
Liverpool met with the Crystal Palace striker’s representatives in recent days to discuss terms over a deal as they forge ahead with plans to strengthen Arne Slot’s side.
However, that is not likely to take place until later in the window towards the transfer deadline once it becomes clear that other deals are unlikely to take place.
Instead, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Liverpool are pushing to sign Isak, while Ekitike has agreed personal terms.
Liverpool eye Jean-Philippe Mateta after Crystal Palace latest
Brown told Football Insider last month that Crystal Palace are confident of keeping Mateta despite growing interest from the likes of Liverpool and Man United.
The Frenchman has two years remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park and has attracted high-profile interest after scoring 17 goals in 46 games last season.
Robinson explained that Mateta is the third-choice option for Liverpool amid concerns that he would not be the ideal fit for how Slot wants his team to play.
“From Liverpool’s point of view, Mateta would be a last-day signing,” he told Football Insider.
“If they miss out on all of their other targets and desperately need somebody in that position.
“He’s not high up on their list, he doesn’t fit the profile.
“He’s not the type of player that you’d look at Arne Slot’s system and the way Liverpool play, he’s not one that jumps out and you think he’d fit into that side.
“I suspect, like anybody surrounded by better players and given better service, he’ll score goals.
“But Liverpool are looking for a player of a world-class, elite level, who will score goals at the top level regularly, season in, season out and that’s not Mateta.
“Mateta would be a signing at the end of the window if they’re unable to bring the likes of Isak and Ekitike in.”
Marc Guehi update emerges at Anfield
Alongside their pursuit of a new striker, Slot is also planning to strengthen in defence and has set his sights on another Crystal Palace star.
Football Insider revealed on 15 July that Liverpool will accelerate their interest in Guehi if Palace can agree a deal to sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP.
Sources say that a domino effect could be triggered as soon as the South London side bring in the Ivorian defender, as it would enable them to sell their captain.
Brown told Football Insider in June that Palace are confident of signing Diomande and feel they can beat the likes of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain to his signature.
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