Jean-Philippe Mateta has informed Crystal Palace of his desire to leave the club, with interest building from Premier League and European sides ahead of the final 18 months of his contract.
The 28-year-old France striker is not expected to sign a new deal at Selhurst Park. Palace are therefore open to offers, with the club believed to value Mateta at around £40 million.
Juventus have attempted to sign Mateta during the current transfer window but have so far failed to meet Palace’s asking price. Aston Villa, long-term admirers of the forward, have also shown interest in a potential move this month.
Speaking last week, Palace manager Oliver Glasner acknowledged the club’s position and confirmed they would consider a sale under the right conditions.
“There will be a price that Crystal Palace accept, with 18 months left on his contract,” Glasner said. “We’d do the deal, if JP wants. If nobody pays that price, then he will stay.”
Palace are already in a period of transition. After winning the FA Cup in May, the club sold Eberechi Eze to Arsenal in the summer and saw captain Marc Guehi depart for Manchester City in January for £20m.
Glasner, who has announced he will leave Palace at the end of the season, has been openly critical of the club’s recruitment strategy. Following Saturday’s defeat by Sunderland, he said the squad had been “abandoned”, remarks that underlined growing tension behind the scenes.
The season has unravelled further for Palace this month, highlighted by their FA Cup exit to non-league Macclesfield in one of the competition’s most significant upsets.
With Mateta pushing for a move and senior figures departing, Palace face a defining period as they balance short-term competitiveness with longer-term planning.
