Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Thu 28 May 2026 13:15, UK

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Nottingham Forest must decide whether they want to reignite their move for Jean-Philippe Mateta this summer after their failed January bid.

The Tricky Trees had a £35million bid rejected for the Frenchman in January, after he had submitted a transfer request at Crystal Palace.

Mateta even had a medical with AC Milan, but it was called off when problems with the striker’s knees were discovered.

The 28-year-old returned to the team in March and re-established himself as Oliver Glasner’s front-man, scoring on Wednesday as Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the Conference League final.

Nottingham Forest transfer chiefs may well have been watching on, with a decision to be made in the coming weeks.

Jean-Philippe Mateta still likely to leave despite heroics

Despite winning the Conference League on Wednesday and booking their place in the Europa League, Palace face an uncertain future.

Football Insider exclusively revealed at the start of the month that Palace want to hire Andoni Iraola as their next manager amid Oliver Glasner’s exit, but talks with the Spaniard are reportedly stalling.

Glasner set an incredibly high standard over the course of his 27 months in charge, winning the FA Cup and the Conference League – the two first major trophies in Palace history.

Any manager will find it incredibly hard to follow that, and they will walk into a squad facing several potential absences.

Daichi Kamada is set to follow Glasner out of the door, and Maxence Lacroix, Adam Wharton and Mateta are among several wanted men at Selhurst Park.

Palace find themselves in an incredibly difficult position with the latter, who was key on Wednesday but has just one year remaining on his contract.

Watch the Eagles soar 🦅

Jean-Philippe Mateta with a priceless goal to give Crystal Palace the lead 🔥

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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 27, 2026

It was the striker who poked home Wharton’s rebounded shot to supply the difference between the sides and seal European glory for the Eagles, and that may well have been a fitting farewell.

Do Nottingham Forest need Mateta?

With Nottingham Forest’s move for Mateta breaking down in January, decision-makers instead signed Lorenzo Lucca on loan from Napoli.

The Italian has scored just once and has barely played in recent weeks, with his return to Italy guaranteed. Chris Wood’s return from injury came at a good time towards the end of the season, and Taiwo Awoniyi also found form to help support Igor Jesus.

With significant questions hanging over the heads of Awoniyi and Wood, due to their age and contract situations, Nottingham Forest will undoubtedly return to the market this summer.

On paper, Mateta seems an obvious signing. The Tricky Trees will have competition, however, and it cannot be ruled out that a new manager could convince him to stay at Palace.

But he certainly would be a statement signing, and perhaps an ideal partner for Jesus.