Palace hit by another bombshell as France striker eyes £40m exit amid Juventus and Villa interest
Crystal Palace have been dealt a fresh transfer blow after Jean-Philippe Mateta told the club he wants to leave Selhurst Park.
The France striker, 28, has just 18 months left on his contract and, as things stand, has no intention of signing a new deal.
Italian heavyweights Juventus have already made an approach this month but were unable to meet Palace’s £40million valuation. Aston Villa, long-time admirers of the powerful frontman, are also circling.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner confirmed last week that offers are being considered.
“There will be a price that Crystal Palace accept,” said the Austrian. “With 18 months left on his contract, we’d do the deal if JP wants. If nobody pays that price, then he will stay.”
The Eagles, who lifted the FA Cup in May, have already lost Eberechi Eze to Arsenal and captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City in a £20m January move — and now risk seeing their top scorer walk away too.
Glasner, who has announced he will step down at the end of the season, launched a blistering attack on the club’s hierarchy after Saturday’s defeat to Sunderland, claiming the squad had been “abandoned” by the recruitment strategy.
That came just weeks after Palace suffered one of the greatest FA Cup shocks in history, crashing out to non-league Macclesfield.