Jean-Philippe Mateta has been speaking alongside Oliver Glasner in a press conference as Crystal Palace prepare for the UEFA Conference League clash against AEK Larnaca.
The Eagles welcome the Cypriot outfit to Selhurst Park looking for a second consecutive win in the competition after defeating Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 in Poland, thanks to goals from Daniel Munoz and Eddie Nketiah.
There is understandably huge excitement among Crystal Palace fans ahead of a first major European fixture at Selhurst Park, although Jean-Philippe Mateta has now made a revelation which should concern them.
Jean-Philippe Mateta admits Crystal Palace are yet to offer him a contract
The France international will only have 12 months remaining on his contract at the end of this season.
When asked about his future, Mateta told Give Me Sport: “I’m focused on my season. If they offer me a contract, we will see what happens. I’m just thinking about the game tomorrow.”
The Frenchman only has a deal running until July 2027 because Crystal Palace triggered a 12-month extension in his contract back in December 2024, so the suggestion that no fresh terms have been offered since then is quite worrying.
Mateta just scored a Premier League hat-trick and also netted on his full debut for France, cementing himself as one of the most in-form strikers across Europe right now.
If Crystal Palace allow the situation to reach a stage where the 28-year-old only has 12 months remaining on his deal in July, several clubs will surely sense an opportunity to lure him away.
Steve Parish even needed to reject a £30m bid from Atalanta for Mateta back in July – a UEFA Champions League outfit – which proves clubs from the top drawer are watching.
Jean-Philippe Mateta was disappointed
We Are Palace understand Mateta was upset not to be offered a new deal over the summer, and is ready to pen a contract extension if presented with the opportunity.
Sources added that Matt Hobbs – the new Director of Football in SE25 – hopes to have the striker tied down to fresh terms by January.
With 37 goals in 72 appearances under Glasner so far, we find it quite bizarre that Crystal Palace haven’t already finalised a new contract with the man born in Sevran.