Brighton vs Crystal Palace at the Amex Stadium - Sunday, 2pm
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta faces a huge decision after knee issues were detected during a recent medical.
Mateta was on the cusp of completing a deadline day transfer to AC Milan but the news of a knee problem scuppered any deal for the Frenchman.
The 28-year-old was also a transfer target for Nottingham Forest but he will now see out the season at least with Crystal Palace.
The club and player will now have to decide whether to undergo surgery to clear up the issue. It's a huge decision for the player who is keen to force his way in the French World Cup squad for this summer’s tournament.
It's unclear at this stage if he will feature for Palace against Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano posted: "Jean Philippe Mateta and Crystal Palace staff set to decide soon about knee surgery.
"Solution been considered ahead of next 6 months with #CPFC and World Cup incoming.
"Follows knee issues detected during double medical tests sessions with AC Milan."
Crystal Palace transfer window verdict
On the face of it, this could be seen as a good window for Palace. They twice broke their transfer record in bringing Brennan Johnson in from Tottenham and then spending £48million on Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen. They also added Aston Villa’s summer signing Guessand.
However, the sale of club captain Marc Guehi midway through the season was a bitter pill to swallow and, for large parts of the month, it looked like striker Mateta would be sold.
However, Mateta did not get his desired move, a knee injury reportedly scuppering his proposed switch to AC Milan, and it remains to be seen how both his fitness and focus will fare between now and the end of the season.
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