Manchester United have decided to replace Rasmus Hojlund with Jean-Philippe Mateta, but a deal won't be cheap for the Crystal Palace striker, according to L'Equipe (via Get Football News France).
Mateta has been one of the Premier League's in-form forwards this season, posting 12 goals in 27 league games, a massive threat up top for Oliver Glasner Eagles. The Red Devils learned this in February when he struck a brace in a 2-0 away win at Old Trafford.
The 27-year-old is currently sidelined with a severe laceration to his ear after he was on the receiving end of a horror challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts, which resulted in a six-match ban. But his sensational form that has fired Glasner's men up the table has put United on notice, and they look to have made a concrete move to make him Hojlund's replacement.
Manchester United Open Talks For Mateta
Ruben Amorim wants the Frenchman to replace Hojlund
Manchester United have started talks with Mateta about bringing the 6ft4in frontman to Old Trafford amid his contract expiring in a year. He has been with the Eagles since January 2022 but could be on the move this summer, with Palace's asking price set at £40 million.
Hojlund has struggled to reach expectations since arriving at United from Atalanta in August 2023 in an £72 million deal. The Danish striker has managed just two goals in 22 league games this season, and Ruben Amorim's patience has run out amid his poor performances.
The Red Devils have lacked a formidable frontman leading the line, with Dutch attacker Joshua Zirkzee, not the profile the club perhaps envisioned when signing him from Bologna last summer. Amorim has recently turned to former Arsenal academy youngster Chido Obi, 17, off the bench because of a lack of options in attack.
Jean-Philippe Mateta Stats (Premier League 2024-25)
Appearances
Goals
Goals Inside The Box
Expected Goals (xG)
Assists
Ground duels won
Aerial duels won
Mateta sits 12th in the Premier League's goalscoring charts with two of those goals coming away to United. Glasner hailed his number nine after that win, saying that he is 'amazing in the box'. He hasn't just impressed at club level while donning Les Bleus colours.
Last summer, he represented his country at the Olympic Games in Paris and bagged five goals in six outings. His strength, aerial abilities and clinical finishing abilities caused many problems, and he might be Amorim's much-wanted Viktor Gyokeres alternative.
All statistics courtesy ofSofaScore- correct as of 08/03/2025.
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