Crystal Palace are in the market for a striker in the January window whatever happens regarding Jean-Philippe Mateta’s uncertain future.
The top target is 19-year-old Angers forward Sidiki Cherif, but the move has stalled as negotiations between the two clubs have been leisurely.
Palace remain frontrunners for the attacker’s signature, with the France youth international communicating that his favoured destination is Selhurst Park.
Cherif, who Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi describes as a “very powerful player”, has scored four goals in 19 appearances this season.
No big-name Guehi successor
Palace’s main focus in the final 11 days of the transfer window is on acquiring a replacement for club captain Marc Guehi, who joined Manchester City last week in a deal worth over £20m.
Short-term loan options are currently under consideration by decision-makers, who believe a stop-gap option would tide them over until making a permanent addition in the summer.
How Mateta exit bombshell unfolded
Meanwhile Jean-Philippe Mateta is trying to force a move away from Crystal Palace this month and has lodged a verbal transfer request, sources have told The i Paper.
The 28-year-old is out of contract in June 2027, with his camp rebuffing offers of a new deal.
Mateta is unhappy with his wages (Photo: Reuters)Mateta feels his £55,000 per week wage – which makes him one of Palace’s lowest-paid starters – does not represent his role in the squad.
However, Palace made a substantial six-figure per week offer over a year ago, which would have rectified his pay disparity, but Mateta wanted to keep his options open and declined.
His desire to leave is driven by lost earnings, while he is not convinced that remaining at Palace will aid his hopes of being named in France’s World Cup squad.
The Frenchman earned his maiden call-up to the France senior side in October 2025 and scored on his first start, a 2-2 draw against Iceland.
Why a deal is stalling
Palace are willing to sell Mateta after accepting he will not sign a new contract and are keen to maximise their return on the striker, who joined from Mainz for £15m in 2022.
Their asking price is understood to be £40m, which has limited the market for the Frenchman.
Serie A has long been Mateta’s preferred destination. Juventus were the most advanced in their interest this month, but their proposal of a loan with a conditional obligation to buy, dependent on Champions League qualification, was deemed insufficient by Palace.
Aston Villa admire Mateta, but are limited by financial constraints. He was also discussed internally at Tottenham Hotspur before the transfer window opened, although the north London outfit does not plan to explore a move.
Palace have set the objective of winning the Uefa Conference League in Oliver Glasner’s final season at the club, with Mateta a key part of the squad – scoring 10 goals in 33 appearances this term.
Mateta has been pivotal to their success under FA Cup-winning manager Glasner, netting 40 times in 92 appearances since the Austrian took over from Roy Hodgson in February 2024.
The situation is difficult for all parties, with the forward keen to leave this month, while interested parties are unable to meet the asking price.
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