Sources: Crystal Palace to accept cut-price Jean-Philippe Mateta offer amid Man United talks
Crystal Palace have accepted that they will have to lower their £30million valuation of Jean-Philippe Mateta in the summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The striker is entering the final year of his contract in the summer, and Palace are ready to accept a cut-price offer for him to ensure that he cannot run the remainder of his contract down.
Palace have already secured Jorgen Strand Larsen as the 28-year-old’s replacement, and have fully come to terms with the fact that Mateta’s exit is inevitable.
Football Insider revealed last week that Manchester United have held internal discussions over a move for Mateta, who has now turned his full focus towards ensuring that he is fit for the upcoming World Cup.
Jean-Philippe Mateta may have already played his final game for Crystal Palace
Mateta hasn’t played for Palace since 25 January, and that 3-1 defeat to Chelsea on home turf could already represent his final game in a red and blue shirt.
The Frenchman has since been ruled out of action with a knee injury, which is what ultimately led to him failing his medical at AC Milan and putting paid to that move for him.
The ex-Mainz frontman is now weighing up the possibility of having surgery on the knee problem, knowing that the prolonged recovery following an operation could see him miss out on the World Cup.
Mateta has been pushing to play at a higher level of football for some time, and he finally looks set to get his wish with the Eagles already committed to a sale.
However, even if he ultimately opts against surgery and tries to allow his injury to heal naturally, there will be no urgency for Oliver Glasner to bring him back into the fold, considering that Strand Larsen has already come through the door.
Crystal Palace track Michael Carrick progress
Football Insider revealed last week that several Premier League clubs are tracking Michael Carrick as he continues to impress at Manchester United, with Crystal Palace likely to be one of them.
The Englishman has made a bright start as interim boss at Old Trafford, having led the Red Devils to wins in each of his opening four games in charge.
Carrick previously received plaudits for the work that he did during his spell at Middlesbrough, and he is now on the radar of several Premier League clubs.
The 44-year-old is expected to be in the frame to take the United job permanently at the end of the season, but Palace are among those who could be ready to pounce if the hierarchy opt for a different candidate.
Glasner has already confirmed his departure at the end of the campaign, and Steve Parish and Co. are already on the lookout for potential replacements.