Crystal Palace are becoming increasingly likely to offload Jean-Philippe Mateta in the summer as discussions over a new contract for the striker fail to make headway.
The 28-year-old is enjoying another impressive campaign with the Eagles, scoring seven goals in 13 Premier League outings and finding the net nine times across all competitions.
After a sluggish beginning to life in south London, he has evolved into a dependable goal-getter in the English top flight, with 16 league goals in the 2023/24 season and 14 the following year.
The France international’s existing contract runs until the end of the 2026/27 season and there have been talks about an extension, but they are not advancing.
If there is no breakthrough in negotiations, then the forward will enter the final year of his deal in the summer and a departure is becoming increasingly probable.
The Sun report that Crystal Palace are now willing to sell Mateta in the summer of 2026, eager to avoid losing a key player on a free transfer.
Captain Marc Guehi remains at the club, but his contract ends in the summer and he is expected to leave, unless Palace attempt to cash in during the January window.
If they do end up losing a regular England starter on a free transfer, it will be a major setback for the Eagles — one which chairman Steve Parish admitted the club cannot really absorb.
Speaking during the last transfer window, Parish said of needing to cash in on Guehi:
‘We’d have to do that, of course. For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it’s a problem for us unfortunately.
‘Joachim [Andersen] went [to Fulham last summer] and we couldn’t afford to lose both. We then had another bid [for Guehi] in January but that was a different situation.
‘We’ll just have to see what happens. But, you know, it needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.’
The outcome was that Guehi nearly completed a move to Liverpool, but the deal fell through at the final moment as Palace had not secured a replacement.
So Parish’s concerns were realised, and he is keen to avoid a repeat with Mateta — making a 2026 exit very realistic.
AC Milan have been mentioned as admirers of the Frenchman, while there have also been suggestions that Manchester United would benefit from having Mateta in their squad.
Jean-Philippe Mateta Premier League stats
Apps: 144
Goals: 45
Assists: 8
Former Arsenal, Manchester City and France full-back Bacary Sagna spoke positively about the mutually beneficial nature of a switch to Old Trafford.
‘It would make sense if Jean-Philippe Mateta went to Manchester United,’ Sagna told Oddspedia.
‘They don’t really have a No9 who is tall, can hold the ball and can get on the end of crosses.
‘It could be difficult for him as a new player coming into a club where there are a lot of new players and transferring his skills across from Crystal Palace, but a move to Old Trafford would be good for him and the club.
‘It will also be difficult for Palace to keep hold of him, and it’s the right moment for him to move if he wants the test of playing for one of the biggest teams in the Premier League.
‘He’s not a young player anymore and it might be one of the last moves of his career, so he will probably push for it if the opportunity arises.’