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Crystal Palace preparing to lose “amazing” attacking star this summer
Minus a brief blip at the start of the 2024/25 season, Crystal Palace have been a force to be reckoned with under Oliver Glasner, who took charge of the club in February 2024.
Following his appointment, the Eagles ended last season in spectacular form, winning six of their final seven Premier League games – including memorable victories over Liverpool and Manchester United – to finish 10th, equaling both their best-ever league position and highest points tally (49).
This season, even with a slow start, Palace look set to break both of those records. With four games to go, they are on course to deliver what could go down as one of the most historic campaigns in the club’s 119-year history.
Much of that success has been built on the sensational form of French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has stepped out of the shadows to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s, if not Europe’s, most in-form forwards.
Last season, Mateta netted 19 goals in all competitions – including 16 in the league – to finish as Palace’s top scorer. This term, even after suffering a serious head injury against Millwall in the FA Cup, he’s added 17 more to his tally, once again leading the club’s scoring charts by a considerable margin.
Manchester United make contact with Mateta
Jean-Philippe Mateta. (Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
One of Mateta’s favourite opponents over the past two seasons has undoubtedly been Manchester United. The French striker has scored three goals in just four Premier League appearances against the Red Devils since the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
So impressive has he been, in fact, that Manchester United are now reportedly keen on bringing him to Old Trafford. According to CaughtOffside, Ruben Amorim’s side have already “made initial contact” with Mateta over a potential summer move to the Theatre of Dreams.
United, however, aren’t the only ones in the race. Bayern Munich are also said to be monitoring the 27-year-old, while Juventus reportedly view him as a possible replacement for Dusan Vlahovic, who has been linked with both Arsenal and Chelsea.
Crystal Palace appear to be preparing for his departure, with CaughtOffside claiming the club are already “lining up a replacement” should their star striker move on.
If Mateta does leave, it will be a major blow for Oliver Glasner’s side. Still, any club that manages to land him will be getting one of Europe’s most in-form forwards who is still very much in his prime.
“He is amazing,” Glasner said of Mateta back in February, according to Tribal Football. “He has the feeling that a number nine must have in the box.”
