Manchester United Eyes Mateta amidst Transfer Developments

According to Sky Sports, Manchester United is exploring the potential signing of Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, reflecting a longstanding interest in the French international. Although United is not currently inclined to acquire a striker in January, they may pursue Mateta should he become available.

Mateta’s contract is set to expire next summer, and discussions regarding an extension have reportedly stalled. Crystal Palace is said to have rejected offers amounting to £50 million ($67 million), though it remains unclear if that asking price has decreased recently.

The future of Mateta may be intertwined with that of Oliver Glasner, who has also not yet committed to Palace, with speculation suggesting he could depart at the close of the season. Meanwhile, the club has finalized a deal to bring in Brennan Johnson from Tottenham, potentially enhancing Mateta’s support in the attacking line.

This season, Mateta has delivered an impressive performance, scoring eight goals in 19 starts. Last season, he netted 17 goals in 46 appearances and registered 19 goals in 39 games during the 2023-24 season. He has previously articulated his ambition to compete in the Champions League, raising questions about Palace’s willingness to part with him mid-season. Reports indicate that United is closely monitoring the situation, with Tottenham also showing interest after securing Randal Kolo Muani on loan.

Reflecting on his aspiration to play in Europe, Mateta stated, “It’s natural; every ambitious player wants to reach that milestone. Especially when you arrive in the national team, surrounded by players competing in the Champions League and winning major trophies. When you play alongside the best, you naturally desire to achieve that level.”

Having earned three caps for France, Mateta has received praise from national team coach Didier Deschamps, who acknowledged the significance of this opportunity for him, encouraging Mateta to bring his enthusiasm and skills to the team.

Sky reports that while United is primarily focused on acquiring a defensive midfielder, they aim to finalize that deal in the summer. Manager Amorim emphasized his intention to only procure players who align perfectly with the team’s future ambitions.

He remarked, “We will strive to bring in players that are perfect for our future, rather than making hasty decisions to address immediate needs due to player absences for AFCON. Even if we attempt to secure one player, it may not directly align with our most pressing requirements. I’m concentrating on the upcoming match. We need to take it step by step.”

United is set to face Leeds on Sunday, aiming to secure three additional points. Currently, they occupy the sixth position in the Premier League table, trailing Liverpool by just three points.