Mainz hitman Jean-Philippe Mateta has been the subject of a rejected £14 million bid from Crystal Palace, according to The Guardian.
Crystal Palace remain in negotiations with the west German club after that initial bid was rejected. After their opening offer was refused by the club, Palace are said to still be keen to add Mateta to their ranks. Consequentially, the south London side are prepared to come back with an improved offer. Mainz have indicated they are not prepared to let their key attacker leave the club unless an offer meets their £27 million valuation of the player.
Roy Hodgson’s side are in desperate need of extra firepower after the Eagles managed a mere 31 goals in all competitions in the 2019/20 campaign. No player managed to score 10 or more goals individually, and only relegated Norwich scored fewer goals (26 in total).
The former French youth international scored a formidable tally of 14 goals for the Bundesliga outfit in his debut campaign, before a horrendous knee injury forced him out for much of the following 2019/20 season.
At just 23, the French U19 and U21 youth international could represent excellent value for the Eagles. Given his age and prolific past form, Mateta is by no means a finished striking article. When this is espoused with the woeful lack of attacking prowess over the previous season, the need to add extra striking power to the Palace front line is obvious.
Meanwhile, Palace are closing in on signing long-term target Eberechi Eze in a deal rising to £20 million after having agreed a fee with QPR on Tuesday. Sky have reported that Eze is on his way to Crystal Palace for his medical.
A fee of £16m plus £4m worth of ‘achievable’ add-ons has been agreed with QPR, with Rangers have a 20 per cent sell-on clause built into the agreement. (Transfer Centre, 16:48, 26 August)
