Sources: Crystal Palace make Jean-Philippe Mateta transfer decision ahead of January
Crystal Palace are now ready to block an exit for striker Jean-Philippe Mateta in the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
The 26-year-old had looked set to leave Selhurst Park in the new year – two years after he joined on an initial loan from German club Mainz.
But it is believed that Palace have now pulled a U-turn and Mateta could now stay at the club – at least until the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that the Croydon club have acknowledged parting with the Frenchman would be a “huge risk”.
Palace hold concerns about the viability of replacing Mateta in the January window – when prices are inflated and top targets are unlikely to be available for purchase.
The 26-year-old has started each of the last two Premier League games in the injury absence of first-choice forward Odsonne Edouard.
He has netted important goals in recent games against Liverpool and Man City and also hit three strikes in Palace’s League Cup campaign.
Mateta scored four goals in 32 appearances across all competitions in the 2022-23 campaign as Crystal Palace recorded an 11th-place finish.
He joined the Selhurst Park outfit permanently from Mainz in 2022 for a reported fee of £9million, signing a contract until June 2026.
Roy Hodgson’s side sit 15th in the Premier League following a 1-1 draw against rivals Brighton on Thursday (21 December).
Mateta and the Eagles are next in action against Chelsea next week (27 December).
In other news, big update on Hodgson quitting Crystal Palace.