On Monday, Gazzetta dello Sport reported Juventus’ €33m offer for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
While the transfer fee wasn’t going to be a major problem, the player’s entourage asking for hefty wages and commission was seen as an issue.
TuttoSport, a Turin newspaper, remain certain their local club Juve want to sign the Frenchman this week. They would ideally want him available for their upcoming clash against Napoli.
Mid-week was seen as the best time to fly Mateta in for a medical in Turin. The Crystal Palace player’s situation finds front page mention in today’s TuttoSport.
The newspaper claim that on Monday, further talks took place between the two clubs for the 28-year-old. Juve’s intention was to soften the Eagles’ stance about the €35m price tag.
Oliver Glasner’s side seem hesitant, even if Mateta’s current contract runs out in 2027 and that adds pressure.
Juve believe things can change quickly. They are aware that the striker has informed Crystal Palace of his opposition to signing a new deal.
The Serie A club feel that with every passing day, the striker’s valuation is reducing. There is confidence that this will put the London club in a difficult position at some point. That is why the Old Lady would also be open to signing him in the summer and are prepared to wait.
Crystal Palace transfer has Thursday deadline
Juventus pursuit for Crystal Palace player is big news in Turin
Juventus pursuit for Crystal Palace player is big news in Turin
Despite that, Juventus have set Thursday as a deadline for a January move. The failure to sign Randal Kolo Muani stung them last summer as the striker joined Tottenham.
Bianconeri CEO Damien Comolli doesn’t want a repeat of that and has put a hard deadline of Thursday to land Mateta. That is why the deal has reached ‘crucial hours’, with Juve offering an initial loan worth €2.5m and an obligation to buy for €30.5m.
European qualification will trigger that clause.
There is a growing belief that if Juve add a percentage of resale value in the deal, Crystal Palace will give the final green light.
An agreement with Mateta is in place and he is ready to sign a four-year deal. Only €2m is what holds up the final agreement and work is ongoing to iron everything out before Thursday.