Last week, we covered claims from Italy that Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta has an agreement in place with Juventus. They had to agree terms with Oliver Glasner’s side to conclude the operation in the winter market.
Two days ago, Tuttosport reported the Serie A side had given a Thursday deadline to sign the striker.
Mateta is keen on a move to Juventus and has made this clear to Crystal Palace. That’s according to Corriere dello Sport, who state he’s informed the Eagles of his agreement with the Turin club.
The France international’s contract lasts until 2027 but he wants to leave Selhurst Park in this window. He’s ruled out moves to places like Turkey and Saudi Arabia. His desire is to either join another Premier League side or move to Italy.
Mateta has options to continue in England as Aston Villa have shown interest. In Serie A, the Old Lady have been trying to convince the London club.
Juventus have made an offer to Crystal Palace. This includes a loan with an option to buy, which will automatically become mandatory if Juve qualify for the Champions League. They are fifth in the table, trailing fourth placed AS Roma by three points.
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, want better terms. They want the purchase obligation to kick in if they finish in top 10 or when the striker makes his first appearance from March.
Aston Villa player simply costing too much
Juventus are in contact with the Premier League side, without an intention to ‘significantly improve their offer’. They don’t want this case to drag on and will soon decide whether to ‘sink the blow’ or focus on Fenerbahçe’s Youssef En-Nesyri.
Another Italian newspaper, Gazzetta dello Sport, reports Mateta is the ‘hottest’ striker target for Juve.
However, this operation has been ‘cooled off due to the rising demands’ of both Crystal Palace and the player’s agent. Commission is thought to be an issue, as is the player’s package.
The Serie A side are pursuing a deal for En-Nesyri. It won’t be easy for them considering the Moroccan is also being pursued by Napoli and Aston Villa.