Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has urged Manchester United to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta to boost their attacking options.
After a dismal season in front of goal last season, Ruben Amorim made it a priority to bolster his front line, signing Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko over the summer.
Despite commanding the biggest fee, £74million from RB Leipzig, it has been Sesko who has failed to hit the ground running since his move to Old Trafford.
The Slovenia international has scored just twice in all competitions this season, and now faces a spell on the sideline having picked up an injury prior to the most recent international break.
In his absence, Amorim turned to Joshua Zirkzee for Monday’s clash with Everton, but the Dutchman turned in a largely forgettable display as the Red Devils suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat against the ten-man Toffees.
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And while Sesko is likely to be given more time to prove himself under Amorim, Sagna believes United should not wait and instead make a move for the experienced Mateta, who has already scored six goals in 12 league games so far this season for Crystal Palace.
‘It would make sense if Jean-Philippe Mateta went to Manchester United,’ Sagna told Oddspedia.
‘They don’t really have a No9 who is tall, can hold the ball and can get on the end of crosses.
‘It could be difficult for him as a new player coming into a club where there are a lot of new players and transferring his skills across from Crystal Palace, but a move to Old Trafford would be good for him and the club.
‘It will also be difficult for Palace to keep hold of him, and it’s the right moment for him to move if he wants the test of playing for one of the biggest teams in the Premier League.
‘He’s not a young player anymore and it might be one of the last moves of his career, so he will probably push for it if the opportunity arises.’
Signed from Mainz for £9m in 2022, Mateta has become 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.
And United may be one of several clubs interested in the Frenchman’s services, given his contract at Selhurst Park is set to expire at the end of next season.
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.
However, reports now suggest that talks between the player and the club have stalled due to Matets’s base salary demands.
The 28-year-old has made no secret of his desire to play in the Champions League, something that would be hard to achieve at Palace, and is also said to have expressed an interest in playing in Serie A.
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