Sources: Aston Villa make Jean-Philippe Mateta transfer decision as deal edges closer
Aston Villa are set to end their interest in Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta as they grow ever closer to signing Tammy Abraham, sources have told Football Insider.
Unai Emery’s side are now set to postpone their pursuit of the 28-year-old after Besiktas confirmed that they triggered their clause to sign Abraham from Roma permanently on Monday.
Aston Villa have been chasing Abraham for several weeks, and sources say that his arrival at Villa Park is now all but confirmed, with the main issue behind the deal now overcome.
That will likely see the Midlands outfit step back from any potential move for Mateta, as funds are tight and their striker addition is already secured.
Aston Villa announcement imminent on Tammy Abraham
Football Insider revealed on Sunday that Abraham could be announced as an Aston Villa player imminently, with final confirmation of his return to the Premier League expected in the coming days.
The former Chelsea frontman has been pushing to return to his homeland after over four years away, but it has not been a simple deal for the Villans to strike.
Besiktas were due to sign the 28-year-old from Roma on their obligation to buy at the end of the season, and the Turkish giants had to be convinced into agreeing to trigger that option prematurely, allowing Villa to then pay them a transfer fee.
The two parties have already reached an agreement for an £18million switch, which is set to draw any suggestions of a move for Mateta to a close.
Crystal Palace are demanding an immediate sum of £40m to allow the Frenchman to leave before the upcoming 2 February deadline, and Villa simply do not have the finances to add both him and Abraham to their squad.
Who will Jean-Philippe Mateta join instead?
Football Insider revealed last week that Crystal Palace remain hopeful of keeping Mateta beyond the end of the winter window, despite his desire to leave the club in January.
The Eagles are adamant that they want their valuation of him met in full if they are to sanction a sale in the coming days, and they have already knocked back an offer of a loan deal with an obligation to buy from Juventus.
Nottingham Forest have also submitted a bid worth £35m for the hitman, but that is also short of Palace’s valuation at present.
Nevertheless, the Reds appear to be in the box seat to land Mateta in a deal that could potentially trigger something of a last-minute merry-go-round in the Premier League.
Palace are chasing Wolves star Jorgen Strand Larsen as a possible replacement, while Aston Villa will surely be glad that they have already got their striker within their clutches.