Oliver Glasner looks increasingly likely to take charge of AC Milan, and he might be keen on a quick reunion with a Crystal Palace star. The Austrian is the frontrunner to replace Massimiliano Allegri, who was sacked after a fifth-placed finish in Serie A this season.
Italian outlet Tuttosport highlights that Jean-Philippe Mateta nearly joined Milan back in January. The French striker failed a medical ahead of a proposed £30m switch to the San Siro.
Mateta’s future remains uncertain ahead of the World Cup, in which he earned a call-up to the French squad. He has a year left on his contract, and there have been suggestions that he’ll be moved on this summer.
A Milan reunion
Mateta returned to Palace after his move to Milan fell through. Fans initially gave him a frosty reception but he won them back over with inspired performances.
None more so than the winner in the Eagles’ UEFA Conference League final victory over Rayo Vallecano. He ended the campaign with 16 goals in 50 games across competitions.
Previous reports in April claimed that the club were still open to selling the 28-year-old despite his return to form. The higher-ups are wary of him entering the final year of his contract and the possibility of losing him on a free in the summer of 2027.
Milan could come back in for Mateta, dubbed ‘world-class ‘, especially if Glasner is appointed as their new head coach. The Austrian and the Frenchman hold a strong bond, and that could help the Italians if they were to swoop for the frontman.
Glasner pull
Glasner supported Mateta during a difficult period in which he pushed to leave Palace for a top European club. Milan came calling but pulled the plug due to complications with his knee during a medical.
Mateta’s first match back after returning from the knee injury saw him met with boos from the Selhurst Park faithful. That bad blood dissipated as the weeks progressed and the major turning point came when he hit a brace in a 2-1 comeback win over Newcastle United.
Glasner hailed his striker after that game and alluded to the “tough moments” he’d experienced. He told reporters:
“It is what he deserves. He has done so much for Palace and this group. As we know in life, you sometimes have tough moments. It’s about supporting each other and that’s what we did with JP.”
Glasner added:
“He also worked so hard to get back to fitness. He always said as soon as it was clear he had to stay at the club that it was OK and he will work hard to help team win matches and to get to our objectives. That’s why he deserves this love from the fans.”
If Mateta’s last hurrah was to score the winner in the Conference League final that’s some way for him to bid farewell to Palace. If he does move on, ideally he’d head to the San Siro instead or remaining in the Premier League amid interest from Manchester United.
