Manchester United could make a fresh attempt to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta after contract talks between the striker and Crystal Palace stalled, according to reports.
Over the past two years, Mateta has been one of the best strikers in the Premier League, scoring 33 goals in 62 appearances under Oliver Glasner.
His efforts helped Palace win the FA Cup and Community Shield, the first major trophies in the club’s history, and have fired the Eagles up to fifth in the table this season.
However, the 28-year-old’s future in south London is unclear with his contract due to expire in 2027.
Palace have been in negotiations with the France international and were thought to be close to agreeing a new deal last summer at a time when he was being linked with a transfer exit, most notably to United.
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However, Standard Sport now report that talks between player and club are at a ‘sticking point’ over his base salary, while Mateta has made no secret of his desire to play in the Champions League, something that would be hard to achieve at Palace.
If a new deal cannot be agreed, Palace will have to decide whether to cash-in on their No.14 or risk him leaving on a free, just as captain Marc Guehi is set to do.
Interest in Mateta is growing, especially from clubs in Serie A, while United may be tempted to re-explore a transfer for him despite signing Benjamin Sesko last summer instead.
The £74m man has struggled in his first few months at Old Trafford and it is said Ruben Amorim wants to bring in another centre-forward as Sesko is the only senior one at the club currently.
The summer of 2026 is set to be a pivotal one for Palace with the futures of Mateta and England star Adam Wharton the source of much speculation, while both Guehi and manager Glasner are out of contract.
Mateta recently spoke of his desire to join a team competing at the highest level, saying: ‘It’s natural, every ambitious player wants to reach that milestone.
‘Especially when you arrive in the national team and around you, there are only players who play in the Champions League, who win the biggest trophies. When you play surrounded by the best players in the world, naturally you want to reach that milestone.’
For now, the Frenchman is preparing for Palace’s Conference League clash against Strasbourg on Thursday night.
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