Jean-Philippe Mateta is being linked with a summer move to Manchester United.
Jean-Philippe Mateta is being linked with a summer move to Manchester United.
Manchester United have already held talks with Jean-Philippe Mateta according to reports despite one former Premier League striker bizarrely warning that the French striker is not even “the answer” for Crystal Palace.
L’Equipe say that conversations have already taken place between Old Trafford bosses and Mateta’s representatives ahead of a proposed summer move with Palace holding out for £40m for a player they have under contract until 2027.
The centre-forward has scored eight goals in his past eight Premier League games but was left with a sickening head injury after being kicked by Millwall’s Liam Roberts in last weekend’s FA Cup meeting
He is expected to make a quick recovery after receiving two dozen stitches, while Roberts also had his ban doubled to six games for his dangerous play.
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But outspoken Troy Deeney reckons he is not the right fit for United despite his form because he may not have the talent required to make the leap to one of the world ’s biggest clubs - no matter their current struggles.
"No, because he's not the answer for Palace,” Deeney said on talkSPORT. "So why is he going to be the answer for Manchester United?
"I think Jean is a very good player, by the way. But he's a very good player at Crystal Palace. I was a very good player at Watford. Going to the levels of these big clubs is completely different.
The Palace striker is in scintillating form with eight goals in his last eight Premier League matches
The Palace striker is in scintillating form with eight goals in his last eight Premier League matches
"The only thing that plays into his favour is they kind of play a similar formation with Palace at the moment, where he's the lead one through the middle.
"But I would argue that Palace's No10s are better than what Manchester United have got currently. So I think he's going through a good vein of form because Palace are in a good moment. No one was saying they should have signed him in pre-season."
Palace are 12th in the table and hold relegation strugglers Ipswich on Saturday afternoon, while United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
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