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Mateta could be on his way out | Getty Images
Crystal Palace are said to have found a possible replacement for Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Crystal Palace are said to have found a possible replacement for Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is said to be be pushing to leave this month. Mateta has been linked with a move to Juventus, which now looks to be off the table, while Premier League clubs are also said to have shown interest.
Recent reports suggest Mateta has informed the club he wants to leave as he looks to seize the opportunity to join a top club in the prime years of his career. The striker will also be eyeing a France World Cup squad spot this summer, and joining a big profile club would boost his hopes.
Palace will not want to sell, but they are also on a timeline due to the striker being out of contract in the summer of 2027. The Eagles will not want to find themselves in the same situation as the one that saw Marc Guehi leave on the cheap due to going into the final six months of his deal.
If Mateta wants to go, now is likely the best time to do a deal, at least from a financial point of view, with January fees usually higher than usual, and with 18 months remaining on his contract, the Eagles can stand relatively firmly by a valuation, albeit the striker’s push to leave does weaken their hand a little.
Juventus look to have been priced out by a reported price tag of £40million, but there may well be clubs out there willing to pay that cash.
Palace identify replacement
According to TalkSport, Palace have already found a possible replacement for Mateta. It’s claimed Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen is the player being considered, and to the point of holding talks over a possible deal.
Wolves are also said to be asking for £40million, but he is three years younger than Mateta, and he is a good fit as far as a replacement goes. Larsen can hold the ball up well while also getting in behind and getting on the end of balls, which isn’t always a common trait for hold-up men.
Larsen scored 14 goals in 35 league appearances last season, but he he has struggled in a very poor Wolves side this term, scoring only once.
Speaking about Strand Larsen last season, Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer said: "[Strand Larsen] has got 11 goals this season, four in his past three games. Wolves have won three games and drawn one. So that tells you the answer about what are they going to do without their best player. He was a nuisance. His hold-up play was excellent and I thought his touch and his control were superb.”
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