On Monday, TuttoSport were certain that Juventus want to close a deal for Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta this week.
Even if an agreement with the Eagles was missing, Juve are hoping to get the Frenchman over for a medical by Wednesday.
The 28-year-old is said to have agreed personal terms with the club and is set to sign a four-year deal.
At the same time, Gazzetta dello Sport spoke of Juve’s offer worth €33m for the Crystal Palace player. There’s a worry striker’s entourage are likely to pose issues with the commission, however, optimism remains that a deal should go through.
As talk now grows in Italy about Mateta’s arrival at Juve, former Bianconeri midfielder Massimo Mauro spoke to Gazzetta about the France international.
The Italian appeared to mock Crystal Palace’s level and then compared Mateta to some Juve greats.
About the Eagles, he said: “He plays for Crystal Palace, I don’t know how to put it…”
Mauro believes that Mateta doesn’t fit the bill of being a ‘great centre forward’ who should play for Juve.
“For me, he doesn’t fit the definition of a “great centre forward” like Vialli, Trezeguet, Ravanelli, Ibrahimovic, Higuain and the other strikers Juve have had.”
He went on to suggest Juve should not sign a striker at all, unless they find a worthy player.
“If it were up to me, considering that Spalletti’s influence is clearly visible, I’d plan for next season. I wouldn’t sign a striker now who doesn’t solve your problems.”
Mateta has now scored 38 goals across two-and-a-half seasons at Crystal Palace. He has eight in the ongoing campaign, having found the net 14 times in the 2024/25 season too.
Those are very good numbers and show that the Frenchman is currently at the peak of his powers.
In recent years, Serie A clubs have struggled to land players when they’re at their best. AC Milan dsigned Niclas Fullkrug from West Ham but the move came after his struggles in London.
Mateta’s case is very different. He is one of the most feared players in the Premier League. With Dusan Vlahovic’s contract running out in the summer, he could easily prove to be an upgrade.
Besides, Mateta’s contract at Crystal Palace runs out in 2027. This makes him an opportunity that Juve simply can’t let go.