Manchester United are said to be sizing up a move for Crystal Palace frontman Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Indeed, the Red Devils have set their sights on another Premier League-proven star to add to their shortlist alongside Matheus Cunha, Liam Delap, and Bryan Mbeumo. In truth, that tactic may prove more successful than buying lesser-known players from abroad, like Rasmus Hojlund.
While we’ve all been saying it for years, this summer window really is a critical one for the club. Getting it wrong after their worst campaign in over 50 years could prove even more detrimental to next season’s state of play – even if right now does feel like rock bottom.
United among Jean-Philippe Mateta’s suitors
Mateta, 27, isn’t short of interest heading into the summer due to his stellar season at Selhurst Park, which has culminated with him making history by being part of the first-ever Palace side to win a major trophy in the form of the FA Cup.
Impressed with how he’d been faring in the first half of the term, the Palace board covered their backs by choosing to activate the player’s one-year contract option last December, ensuring he is now tied to the club until June 2027 as opposed to 2026.
| Club | Games | Goals | Assists |
| Crystal Palace | 151 | 46 | 11 |
*Mateta’s all-time record for Palace thus far, as per Transfermarkt
In the final 10 games of 2023/2024, Mateta scored 11 goals, before continuing his prolific form by notching five goals for France at the Summer Olympics, where he won a silver medal.
How Mateta has fared for the Eagles this campaign
He has bagged 17 goals and contributed a further four assists in 45 appearances across all competitions this season, and could well add to his tally on the final day against Liverpool at Anfield.
Today, L’Equipe have credited United as one of Mateta’s admirers before the window opens in a matter of weeks, while Get French Football News adds that the club ‘intends to test the waters’ with a potential offer for the experienced striker.
Mateta is biding his time to make a decision on his future to ensure it’s the best move for his career and chances of being called up to the national team, as he ‘dreams’ of representing France at the 2026 World Cup.
Mateta had two good PL seasons at Palace: ~15 goals per PL season, at 0.55 (PL) goals per 90. Before that, his performances were unimpressive. At 27, he may have some life left in him, though my personal preference is to aim a little younger. Mateta is still a gamble: would his two good seasons extend into a third, or would he return to previous poor performance? He’s a bit cheaper than Nkunku, same age, but Nkunku hasn’t been scoring: 0.29 (PL) goals per 90 this season and he played only 910 mins.
We really need a striker (because Hojlund will surely go out on loan or be sold) but we can’t blow the budget on someone too old; the long-term finances are as bad as the short-term: £313m still owed for past transfers. Gyokeres and Oshimen are now surely too expensive assuming they could still be convinced to join. We can’t afford much, we can’t afford to carry injuries or age-related decline yet still need someone ‘proven’. What are the alternatives? Delap is younger, around the same cost, though his stats aren’t as good. But Delap was at Ipswich – no service, few opportunities. Would he want to join Utd now? Would he realise his potential if he did? On paper, Mbuemo and Mateta look better than Delap and Nkunku (at least to my warped logic).
This window, Utd is between a rock and a hard place.