Crystal Palace could accept new offer for ‘unstable’ Jean-Philippe Mateta
Jean-Philippe Mateta could leave Crystal Palace
4 minutes
Crystal Palace could be forced to cash in on Jean-Philippe Mateta in the closing stages of the summer transfer window.The 29-year-old has made headlines in recent days after it was revealed that he had taken Crystal Palace to a Premier League tribunal in an attempt to have his contract voided.The France international claimed that the optional extension triggered by Palace was invalid, but the case was thrown out, with the Eagles confident over their position.Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that there are concerns about Mateta’s character, and this latest twist could force Palace to let him go.Pierre Sage had previously been hopeful of keeping Mateta as a key part of his squad for the upcoming season, despite the striker having pushed to leave the club in January.While there is still a chance that he will remain at Selhurst Park, a big offer should be enough to tempt Crystal Palace into letting him go after the drama behind the scenes.Brown told Football Insider on 6 August that Mateta is “most likely” to stay at Crystal Palace beyond the end of the summer transfer window despite ongoing speculation.This comes as the Eagles have been content to let the striker see out his contract and leave on a free in exchange for another season of him leading the line in South London.However, recent news about his off-pitch antics and the suggestion that he is still eyeing a move away could push Palace to cash in rather than clinging on to an unhappy player.”We speak about Mateta quite often, and the situation is a strange one,” Brown told Football Insider.”Everything you hear and see of him in the dressing room at Palace, he seems like he gets on well with his teammates, with the club, and he’s clearly a big personality.”But I’ve heard he can be a bit of an unstable character as well, and when you look at his situation at Palace, that does seem to be the case.”When you put together everything he’s done there, what he’s achieved, and how much Palace have backed him and given him opportunities, they have given him this platform.”They’ve allowed him to go from being an inconsistent striker to a France international and trophy winner, and you would think that would play a part in his decision.”But he keeps on making it clear he wants to leave, he’s not going to sign a new deal, so Crystal Palace might decide to call it a day and let him move on.”Obviously the deal would have to be right for them, that’s the most important thing, but they won’t want to keep an unhappy player who keeps on pushing to leave.”Which clubs are interested in signing Mateta?Speculation about Mateta’s future at Crystal Palace has sparked renewed interest from a number of his long-term suitors in the Premier League and across Europe.The striker came close to joining AC Milan in January before he failed a medical, while the likes of Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Man United are among his admirers.Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 24 August that Tottenham are ready to swoop for Mateta and are keeping a close eye on his contract situation at Selhurst Park.Even despite the Eagles having eased any disputes about the validity of his deal, the striker still has just one year remaining, meaning a cut-price fee could get a deal done.Palace still don’t want to lose the 28-year-old ahead of the 1 September deadline, but their stance could potentially change if the right offer comes in.
