After dispatching scouts, Crystal Palace are now ready to launch an official approach to sign a replacement for Jean-Philippe Mateta, whose future is still in doubt.
Crystal Palace readying approach for Mateta replacement
In a different reality, Mateta is an AC Milan player right now and Crystal Palace have cashed in. As it is, however, the Frenchman remains a Selhurst Park star and the Eagles are without the reported £30m transfer fee that they would have received in January.
After receiving a chorus of boos on his return from injury earlier this month, it's fair to say that Mateta has been forced to face up to his critics head on. But that doesn't mean that they're going away anytime soon.
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The forward is yet to sign a new deal in South London and is on course to leave as a free agent in 2027 as a result. Palace, meanwhile, must scramble to avoid losing their star man for free - meaning that a sale is certainly likely this summer.
It comes at a time when much of their focus is on finding a new manager after failing to agree a new contract with Oliver Glasner. With a new era on its way potentially alongside the end of Mateta's Palace career, it's set to be a big summer of change.
On the managerial front, Jose Bordalas remains an interesting candidate. The Getafe boss is known for his pragmatic approach in a 4-4-2 that old-school English football would be proud of.
Palace are yet to make their decision, but if it is to be Bordalas then he will need an attacking addition in the event of Mateta's exit for the sake of his system.
Replacing Mateta won't be an easy task, but recent reports have mentioned one name who could do exactly that. According to Sports Boom, Crystal Palace are ready to make an official approach for Felipe Augusto after dispatching their scouts to watch the forward.
13-goal Augusto could end Mateta's Crystal Palace career
The Brazilian is undeniably a wildcard option and history suggests that English sides fare better when they welcome Premier League-proven stars. However, after an excellent season at Trabzonspor, the 22-year-old is not one to write off just yet.
25/26 League Stats Mateta Augusto
Minutes 1,944 1,748
Goals 8 11
Assists 0 0
XG 12.07 6
The numbers tell the story of two strikers enjoying contrasting campaigns in front of goal. Whilst Mateta has been wasteful, underperforming his expected goals by over four, Augusto has been clinical.
The 22-year-old has netted 13 goals in all competitions and 11 of those have come in the Turkish Super Lig despite recording just six expected goals.
felipe-augusto
If Bordalas does take the Palace job this summer, then his pragmatic approach will require the ruthless streak in front of goal that Augusto has provided Trabzonspor all season.
When the summer arrives, Palace could cash in on Mateta and welcome an instant upgrade to work alongside January signing Jorgen Strand Larsen.