Eberechi Eze, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Daniel Munoz. (Offside/Getty Images)
After their stunning FA Cup triumph last season, Crystal Palace look set to face a summer of unwanted attention — with several of their top talents attracting major interest from across Europe.
Eberechi Eze, who scored the winner in the final against Manchester City and was arguably Palace’s standout player all season, is being monitored by Arsenal, Tottenham and other top clubs, and is widely expected to leave Selhurst Park.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are reportedly plotting a shock move for midfielder Adam Wharton, and centre-back Marc Guéhi — the subject of £60m bids from Newcastle and Spurs earlier this year — appears destined for Liverpool.
With Guéhi now entering the final year of his contract, Palace could be forced to cash in rather than risk losing him for a cut-price fee in January or for free next summer.
Now, yet another key player has entered the spotlight.
Al-Hilal Target Jean-Philippe Mateta
According to The Sun, Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal have added Jean-Philippe Mateta to their striker shortlist.
The Riyadh-based club are understood to be targeting a marquee forward this summer. While Napoli’s Victor Osimhen remains their dream signing, he has already rejected their advances twice. RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško is also a target, but he reportedly prefers a move within Europe — with Arsenal said to be keen.
As such, Mateta has emerged as a surprise but credible option for the Saudi side, who are looking to bolster their firepower after missing out on the league title to Al-Ittihad last season.
Mateta has been a revelation for Palace across the past two seasons, scoring 36 goals in all competitions and winning the club’s Player of the Season award for 2023/24.
Among his admirers is none other than Thierry Henry, who said of the Frenchman last year: “He’s an old-fashioned striker, you can play a little more direct. He can keep the ball. He’s a boring striker to play against, he doesn’t lose the ball much, and he goes at the last defender.”
“He uses his physicality, he’s good with his head, and he scores,” he added. “It’s important that a striker like that gives you another dimension.”
Whether Palace will entertain offers for their powerful No. 9 remains to be seen — but with interest growing and offers likely incoming, their post-cup rebuild could soon turn into a full-blown exodus.
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