Crystal Palace
Mick Brown
Sun 16 March 2025 10:00, UK
Crystal Palace are determined to keep Jean-Philippe Mateta at the club beyond the end of the season despite interest from Man United.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected in the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Palace are planning to tie him down to a new contract.
An initial £40million price tag has been placed on the 27-year-old, but there is a belief that price could continue to rise through the window given the level of interest.
Brown told Football Insider in February that Palace plan to hold contract talks with Mateta before the end of the season, with a potential “big pay rise” on the cards.
This comes after Football Insider revealed Crystal Palace are bracing for interest in Mateta alongside the likes of Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton.
The latter has attracted plenty of interest in his performances as both Tottenham and Man City want to sign Wharton, while Guhei is wanted by Liverpool and Arsenal among others.
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However, Palace remain determined to keep their best players at the club and are expected to demand significant fees for their departures.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta playing for Crystal Palace
Jean-Philippe Mateta has been linked with a move away from Crystal Palace. (Credit: Imago)
Crystal Palace respond to Man United interest in Jean-Philippe Mateta
Brown told Football Insider on 11 March that Man United are unlikely to pursue Mateta this summer and are instead looking at Viktor Gyokeres and Harry Kane.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Mateta’s best option would be to sign a new contract at Selhurst Park.
“I think £40million is a good price for Mateta,” he told Football Insider.
“We’ve seen clubs spend that amount of money on worse players than him.
“But Palace are not going to be keen to see him leave, so that price tag could keep rising.
“I think he’s a Crystal Palace player, he’s done brilliantly for them and the best thing for him would be if he stays and signs a new contract.
“That’s what Palace want him to do, because he’s been such an important player for them.
“There are a lot of clubs looking at him because he’s a striker who scores goals – that’s what almost every club in the league is looking for.
“But where would Palace go to replace him? It would be a very difficult task.
“So they’re going to be determined to keep him at the club and will do all they can to that end.”
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner
Oliver Glasner has been widely praised for the job he has done at Crystal Palace. (Credit: Imago)
Marc Guehi likely to leave Palace amid Liverpool interest
Amid growing interest in a number of their star players, one who looks likely to leave Selhurst Park this summer is Marc Guehi, as speculation refuses to die down.
The 24-year-old will have just 12 months remaining on his contract when the window opens, and the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea want to sign Guehi.
That level of interest in his signature has made a departure highly likely despite Palace having rejected £70million bids from Newcastle and Spurs in the last two windows.
However, they are now prepared to accept big-money offers as allowing him to leave on a free transfer in 2026 is not seen as an option.
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