Crystal Palace has rebuffed an approach from Aston Villa regarding striker Jean-Philippe Mateta this week. The Birmingham club is actively seeking attacking reinforcements as manager Unai Emery faces the prospect of losing Ollie Watkins, who has attracted interest from Saudi Arabian clubs.
Mateta has emerged as a target for Villa following an impressive Premier League campaign where he netted 12 goals across 32 appearances. The French international also made significant contributions to Palace’s Europa Conference League triumph, including a goal in the final. His proven ability to perform at the highest level makes him an attractive option for a club preparing for domestic and European competition.
Villa had previously considered Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson as a potential solution to their attacking needs, but the £65 million valuation proved prohibitive. Mateta represents a more economical alternative, particularly given Villa’s need to maintain financial prudence while addressing other squad gaps.
Despite Palace’s rejection of Villa’s inquiry, the striker’s future at Selhurst Park remains uncertain. Mateta has expressed a desire to depart and is currently embroiled in a contractual dispute with the club, which he has escalated to FIFA authorities, adding further complexity to any potential transfer discussions.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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