In a surprising turn of events, Aston Villa has reportedly reached an agreement on personal terms with Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta. However, the situation is heating up as Chelsea is rumored to be making a last-minute push to secure his signing.
Crystal Palace is currently experiencing a significant turnover within its squad, and Mateta appears poised to depart, following in the footsteps of Marc Guehi. This comes after manager Oliver Glasner announced that he plans to leave the Premier League club by the end of the summer at the latest.
Mateta, who has attracted interest from clubs such as Aston Villa, Juventus, and Chelsea, has had a commendable season with ten goals in 33 matches across all competitions. Over the past few years, he has emerged as one of the most impressive strikers in the Premier League.
As time ticks away, Crystal Palace is becoming increasingly anxious to capitalize on Mateta's potential transfer, especially since his current deal runs until 2027. Glasner has indicated that the striker could leave if the right offer comes along, stating, "There will be a price that Crystal Palace would accept, considering he has 18 months remaining on his contract. If JP wants the move, we would proceed with the deal. Otherwise, he will stay put."
According to reports from The Times, Mateta is eager to leave due to unmet expectations regarding promises made by the club, particularly concerning player recruitment and the terms surrounding a new contract. After netting 38 league goals over the last three seasons, the 28-year-old is hoping for regular participation in European competitions, ideally the Champions League. He recently had an offer from Juventus turned down, which initially seemed to be the most likely next step in his career.
While Juventus was the frontrunner for Mateta's signature, interest from Premier League teams surged after they rejected the Serie A club's loan-to-buy proposition. Aston Villa has emerged as a serious contender to sign him, especially as they seek to fill the gap left by Donyell Malen's transfer to AS Roma. Although Tammy Abraham has also been linked to Villa, Mateta remains a viable alternative. Reports suggest that the striker has already agreed on personal terms with Unai Emery's squad.
Nevertheless, the completion of this move is far from certain, as Chelsea is also said to be in discussions about acquiring Mateta. Reports indicate that the Blues have contacted his representatives to stay informed about the situation, although their actual intent to pursue him remains unclear at this stage.
Crystal Palace is demanding between €35 million and €40 million for their star striker. This amount may seem steep for a player approaching 29 years old, but discussions have already taken place with several interested parties throughout Europe this month—beyond just Juventus, Aston Villa, and Chelsea. It raises the question: will Mateta find his new home at Villa Park or Stamford Bridge? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!
