Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has informed the club that he wishes to leave after holding talks with Aston Villa, according to Fabrizio Romano.
There’s been plenty of change and drama surrounding Palace in recent weeks. In a press conference earlier this month, Oliver Glasner dropped a double blow on the Eagles, confirming that he would be leaving at the end of the season following the expiration of his contract, while also revealing that Marc Guehi would be departing, eventually joining Manchester City.
Aston Villa are now pushing to bring in a new striker, following the departure of Donyell Malen to Roma earlier this month. GIVEMESPORT sources have confirmed that Tammy Abraham has agreed to join the Midlands outfit, if they are able to reach an agreement club-to-club.
Mateta Expresses Desire to Leave Palace
Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
According to Romano, Mateta and his camp have informed Palace that he wants to leave the club in the January transfer window after holding talks to leave. Juventus and Aston Villa have held negotiations with the French striker, with talks ongoing.
Mateta is out of contract next summer, meaning Palace need to make a decision on the striker. It appears that negotiations over a new contract have failed to reach a conclusion, so the Eagles need to decide whether to cash in now, or risk losing him on a free transfer in 2027.
Palace Will Need to Find a Replacement Fast
If Palace do allow Mateta to head through the exit door in the coming days, they will need to find a replacement fast. The French striker hasn’t been firing on all cylinders in recent months, but it would leave just Eddie Nketiah as a senior striker on the books.
Christantus Uche is another option for Glasner in the centre-forward position, but he’s been preferred in an attacking midfield position during his mostly substitute appearances. Against Sunderland last time out, Nketiah was also out injured, leaving Palace thin on the ground in terms of centre-forward options. Uche was an unused substitute, which has been a regular occurrence this season, so it’s imperative that Mateta is replaced adequately.