Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta saw his move to AC Milan collapse late in the winter market.
The Serie A side pulled the plug after finding an issue with the striker’s knee during the medical test. Milan sporting director Igli Tare has confirmed this to the Italian media.
Sport Witness recently covered claims from Italy that three different doctors advised the Rossoneri not to sign Crystal Palace player.
Prior to the Eagles’ win over Brighton & Hove Albion, Oliver Glasner explained the France international may have to undergo surgery. The coach also said Mateta would visit another doctor on Monday before making a decision.
Le Parisien cover the latest on the 28-year-old’s situation and his decision not to go under the knife.
According to the newspaper, the Eagles frontman has struggled with a knee problem for over last two months. He consulted three different specialists and wasn’t able to make a final decision.
Mateta consulted a fourth doctor on Monday. Le Parisien don’t give an insight into what took place during yesterday’s visit, but it was enough for him to make the final decision to not undergo surgery.
Crystal Palace player taking risk
The report states Mateta made this decision, ‘in full agreement with all parties’, meaning the Premier League side.
He would have taken this step to improve his chances of making it to Didier Deschamps’ France squad for the World Cup. It’s not even a given that he will make it to the 26-man list if fit.
Le Parisien warn him Deschamps has several options in the attack and the ‘competition is fierce’.
The newspaper state: ‘If the coach selects eight players, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, Hugo Ekitike, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and Bradley Barcola are currently the frontrunners to make the trip.’
‘Mateta, like other forwards (Thuram, Akliouche, Thauvin, Coman, Nkunku, Kolo Muani, and Thauvin), can aspire to join the squad, provided, first and foremost, that he gets playing time at Crystal Palace.’