Manchester United are keeping an eye on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Jean-Philippe Mateta has once again emerged as a Manchester United transfer target, entering the upcoming window.
Sky Sports report Manchester United hold interest in Mateta and are attentive to any opportunity that may arise for his signature.
Mateta has scored eight Premier League goals in 19 league games for Palace this season, including a penalty against Manchester United.
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Mateta’s contract sparking dilemma for Palace
Jean-Philippe Mateta signed for Crystal Palace from Mainz in 2022, and after a tough start at the club, he has become one of the league’s more reliable strikers.
After scoring 19 goals in all competitions in 2023/24, he struck 17 in 2024/25, and has nine in all competitions for the Eagles this season.
However, Mateta’s contract is set to expire in 2027, leaving Palace facing a dilemma of whether to cash in, if there is no progress on a new deal.
Palace turned down £50 million offer from an unnamed Champions League club last summer. His price tag now depreciating as he heads towards the final 12 months of his contract.
Oliver Glasner problem
Manchester United are interested in signing Mateta if he became available at a price they consider to be good value.
The backdrop to all of this is Palace manager Oliver Glasner, who has an uncertain future with the club, and has even been touted as a possible replacement for Ruben Amorim at United.
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Glasner clashed with the Palace hierarchy over a possible sale of Marc Guehi last summer, who is now in the final few months of his own contract.
He insisted that Palace keep Glasner instead of cashing in, and while he is in post at the club, he will likely resist selling Mateta.
Just a few days ago, Glasner expressed that Palace needed to strengthen in attack, rather than get weaker.
He was quoted via ESPN: “It’s pretty clear what we need and that it’s a decision of Crystal Palace. If you’re constantly underperforming in scoring goals … Yeah.”
Mateta would be a difficult player for Palace to replace mid-season, and it would be a surprise if they tried to sell him and risked upsetting Glasner further.
United could utilise experience, priorities in midfield
Manchester United strengthened in the summer by signing two proven Premier League players, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, and it has helped.
Benjamin Sesko was the gamble, with the Slovenian returning only two goals so far this season.
The rest of Sesko’s play has looked positive, he has just struggled to put the ball in the back of the net. And like Rasmus Hojlund before him, he could benefit from having a more experienced player like Mateta around to share the burden.
United can get away with it this season, but if we have European football next season, more depth in forward areas will be required.
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Manchester United’s interest in Antoine Semenyo showed that the club are alert to potential opportunities, and it makes sense they would consider landing Mateta.
But the real priority right now has to be in midfield, where the club were already light before injuries struck.
A move for Mateta, or another striker, is more likely in the summer, and that’s when Palace might be more likely to cash in on the forward.
The only thing that could push it further along from United’s perspective is a potential sale of Joshua Zirkzee this month.
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