Crystal Palace Close to Agreeing Deal for Jean-Philippe Mateta

Jean-Philippe Mateta Close to Joining Crystal Palace on Loan

Form This Season

The Frenchman has been in impressive form so far this season for Mainz, scoring 10 goals in all competitions. It is a stark contrast to the three goals he registered during the 2019/20 season, although he did miss the start of the season through injury.

Mateta, Mainz’s club-record signing, opened his account for this campaign with a hat-trick in an impressive win over TSV Havelse in the DFB Polkal. Since then he has added seven to his tally, the last of which was also a hat-trick in a 3-1 over Freiburg.

Mainz had not been expecting to let the 23-year-old leave this month, but he is now reportedly to travelling to England. Speaking about the Frenchman recently, Christian Heidel, the Mainz Sporting Director, said: “A transfer doesn’t happen just because it’s in the newspaper. No one has contacted us, and there are no signs of a transfer at the moment.

“Let’s wait and see, we still have a few days left,” he added, referring to the fact that the transfer window will remain open for the rest of the month.”

Palace will reportedly pay an initial €3 million with a €15 million obligation to buy also in place.

What Does This Mean for Palace?

Roy Hodgson would have five strikers in his squad if Mateta joins, and that is without including Wilfried Zaha, who has regularly started upfront for Palace this season.

Michy Batshuayi is likely to see out the remainder of his loan. The Belgian joined from Chelsea during the summer, and despite not scoring so far this season, he provides another quality option in attack.

Mateta’s arrival is most likely to affect Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham. The former is out of contract in the summer and has yet to do enough to warrant an extension, while Wickham could be allowed to leave on loan, should he be fit.