LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrates scoring his side's second goal with Chris Richards during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa at Selhurst Park on May 19, 2024 in London, England.(Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Crystal Palace planning to re-open contract talks with Jean-Philippe Mateta
Crystal Palace were quite busy on transfer deadline day as they completed moves for Maxence Lacoix and Eddie Nketiah.
The Eagles also brought in Trevoh Chalobah and Matt Turner to Selhurst Park on loan from Chelsea and Nottingham Forest respectively.
However, they lost Sam Johnstone to Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal worth around £10 million.
Jean-Philippe Mateta also had interest from clubs in the Premier League and overseas but the South Londoners maintained the striker is not for sale.
Now the Sunday Mirror (September 1, Page 68) are reporting Crystal Palace are planning to re-open contract talks with the 27-year-old.
His stocks have received a massive boost following his impressive goalscoring feats last season.
In 39 appearances across all competitions, the Frenchman struck 19 goals and provided five assists to help his side finish 10th in the league.
Mateta, who is currently on £50,000-a-week wages at Selhurst Park, also caught the eye in the summer as he helped his nation win an Olympic silver medal.
He has started both Premier League matches for the Eagles this campaign but is yet to register a goal or an assist.
Manager Oliver Glasner is said to be an admirer of the 27-year-old and wants to keep him amid interest from several European clubs.
His current deal expires in 2026 but Palace are keen to offer him an extension as well as a pay rise.
read more:
Hughes on new arrivals, Glasner and Chelsea
Will Hughes says ‘intense’ Oliver Glasner will have Palace playing the kind of football that saw them end the 2023/24 season in emphatic fashion, as he tipped the club’s new signings to thrive in South London.
“[The mood is] positive,” he said. “It’s not easy coming off the back of two defeats at the start of the season, in games where we were very much in it, and it’s just fine details in the Premier League.
“We weren’t a million miles away from winning those two games, but unfortunately we didn’t. That’s a matter of fact. It’s good to bounce back in the League Cup [v Norwich].”
Now Palace face a Chelsea side fresh from their demolition of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux last weekend.
“[It will be] a very tough test,” Hughes said. “They started the season really well in the league; they scored six goals away.
“Again, we know it’s going to be challenging, but likewise, when we know we’re on it and we’re playing well, at our maximum, we can give any team a challenge. Hopefully, that’s what’s going to happen on Sunday.”
Palace have added seven new signings over the break, including Hughes’ former teammate at Watford, Ismaila Sarr.
