- Crystal Palace still open to Mateta sale
- AC Milan likely to come back in for striker
- Frenchman will have a year on his contract
Crystal Palace are reportedly open to selling Jean-Philippe Mateta to AC Milan should the Serie A giants come back in for him. The French striker failed a medical ahead of a proposed move to the San Siro in January.
Mateta travelled to Paris to undergo a medical procedure, but complications arose with his knee. As a result, the Italians pulled the plug on a £30m deal.
Instead, the 28-year-old returned to Selhurst Park, where he initially received a mixed response from fans. But he’s been back at his best over the past week, scoring three times in wins over Fiorentina (3-0) and Newcastle United (2-1).
Mateta’s Milan Move Revived
Despite Mateta’s resurgence, the club still look likely to part ways with the player in the summer. He will have a year left on his contract, which puts the Eagles under pressure to cash in rather than lose him on a free next year.
According to Alan Nixon on his Patreon, Mateta could still end up moving to Milan. The club are “open to selling” him to the Rossoneri but “face a fight to sort out a fee.”
It’s suggested that a “thorough medical” will be required, given the issues that have taken hold with his knee. But the Italian heavyweights do plan to come back for the Frenchman.
Mateta ending his spell at Palace on a high note, rather than unceremoniously, feels like the right outcome. His approach in trying to secure a move earlier this year wasn’t right but he’s made amends by clearly showing he is still committed.
The former Mainz frontman could even depart by adding another winners’ medal to his list of achievements with the club. His side have marched on to the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League after defeating Fiorentina 4-2 on aggregate.
Palace Need to Recoup Strand Larsen Cash
Mateta might face Viola next season as a Milan player. But before that he needs to help Oliver Glasner also leave Selhurst Park with another major trophy.
The French forward has recently displaced Jorgen Strand Larsen as Glasner’s starting number nine. He started a 2-1 loss to Fiorentina in the second leg midweek.
Nixon noted that the funds used in Strand Larsen’s club-record £48m arrival were with cash expected from the sale of his fellow striker. But after his Milan move collapsed, the club are still in need of recouping some of the money paid to Wolverhampton Wanderers for the Norweigan.
