Last week, Gazzetta dello Sport reported Juventus were continuing talks for Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Interestingly, upon receiving contact from Juventus, Crystal Palace asked for Jonathan David in a possible deal. The idea was rejected in Turin, but it gave Juventus the knowledge Palace wouldn’t be a pushover.
Developments have taken place, with Gianluca Di Marzio reporting late on Sunday that Juve made a formal offer for the Crystal Palace star.
A loan worth €2m with a conditional obligation of €28m was on the London club’s table. Juve would sign the player permanently if they qualified for the Europa League.
The approach was rejected.
Today’s Gazzetta adds more detail, and states the total amount offered to Crystal Palace was €33m.
The newspaper add there’s no agreement in place between the two clubs. There are no concerns around that because Juve are likely to face a bigger challenge. It will be posed by the 28-year-old’s entourage, who are demanding hefty commission.
This will not be an ‘insurmountable’ problem but would hold up the deal in general.
Crystal Palace transfer being pushed
Gazzetta dello Sport report commission problems in Crystal Palace transfer
Gazzetta dello Sport report commission problems in Crystal Palace transfer
That will cause some worries in Turin because TuttoSport note that Juve want to sign the striker this week. They have an agreement over personal terms with the France international, who will sign a four-year deal.
The Old Lady want to go ‘full steam ahead’ to sure that Mateta has a medical in Italy mid-week. The next 48 hours will dictate that, with Crystal Palace said to be demanding a package worth €35m.
Corriere dello Sport believe that the asking price in London is actually €40m, but that is unlikely to hinder the deal.
Juve are in a hurry, with Dusan Vlahovic injured. Beyond that, the Serbian’s contract runs out in the summer and Mateta would come in as his replacement.
The Turin club lost to Cagliari at the weekend, underlining the need for improvement.