Juventus have made contact with Crystal Palace over a deal to sign striker Jean-Philippe Mateta this summer in recent hours, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport.
The Serie A giants are looking to bolster their squad this summer after missing out on Champions League football, while the Eagles are set to enter a new era at Selhurst Park after winning the Conference League, with manager Oliver Glasner departing after his contract expired.
Palace are expecting big interest in several of their top stars as a result, despite qualifying for the Europa League as a result of their third trophy in 12 months, and now Juventus have made their first move for one of the key players responsible for their recent success.
Juventus Make Move to Sign Mateta
Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick vs Bournemouth
According to a report, Juventus are stepping up their interest in signing a new striker after it was confirmed that Dusan Vlahovic will depart when his contract expires at the end of the month.
Mateta, who has been described as 'unbelievable', was expected to leave the club in the January transfer window but saw a move to AC Milan collapse on deadline day after he failed a medical with a knee injury.
But the 28-year-old battled back to fitness and enjoyed a fine end of the season with Palace, scoring the winning goal in the Conference League final and earning a place in France's World Cup squad under Didier Deschamps.
Palace are now set to hire Pierre Sage as Glasner's replacement, but he may be forced to plan for his new season without their top forward, as Juventus make their move to sign Mateta this summer.
It's expected that Mateta will be sold, as he enters the final 12 months of his contract at Selhurst Park, with GIVEMESPORT sources previously revealing that he would be very open to a move to Serie A.
World Cup 2026 Quiz
You scored
↩ Play again
Crystal Palace Already Planning for Life After Mateta
Jean-Philippe Mateta
Mateta has been a revelation at Palace in recent seasons, and replacing him will be unbelievably difficult for the club because he has been such a reliable source of goals.
The club looked to solve the issue in January by bringing in all of Jorgen Strand Larsen, Evann Guessand, and Brennan Johnson to strengthen the attack, and it may mean that Sage has plenty of options already.
But Guessand's move wasn't made permanent, Johnson scored just once since his arrival, and Larsen didn't have a great season either. With Mateta on the move, Sage has the chance to make an impact by bringing in a top number nine that he trusts to fill the void, and that would immediately get fans on side going forward.
Crystal Palace Press Conference Related
Romano: Crystal Palace Close to Agreement to Bring 'Genius' to Selhurst Park
The Eagles look set to appoint their new manager in the coming days