The bombshell Aston Villa and Crystal Palace swap deal which could break the internet this month
Aston Villa could consider a sensational swap transfer to revolutionise the team’s attacking options
Aston Villa have reportedly expressed a desire to sign unsettled Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta this month.
This news comes following the Frenchman’s bombshell admission that he wishes to leave the Selhurst Park club this month after a five-year stint with the team. Mateta’s transfer request also follows Oliver Glasner’s decision to leave at the end of the season and the club’s decision to sell Marc Guehi.
The 28-year-old has 18 months remaining on his contract and has turned down opportunities in the past to extend his stay. Palace at this point are not pushing to sell the striker, but could find themselves in a position where they are forced to cash in at some stage in the near future rather than losing the valuable forward on a free.
Why Aston Villa are interested in Mateta
Mateta has achieved a great deal in the last half a decade at Crystal Palace. In his first six months, he started just two matches and appeared five times as a substitute with Christian Benteke mainly leading the line. He got more opportunities during his second season but only managed five league goals. Mateta then scored two in the 2022/23 as he remained a utility player.
Things changed dramatically once Glasner came midway through the 2023/24 campaign. In fact, since the Austrian’s appointment in February 2024, Mateta has scored 36 league goals.
He’s also formed part of Palace’s FA Cup winning team and has spearheaded the club into Europe for the first time in their history. The powerful forward has been a consistent performer for the Eagles and has even established himself as a France international, scoring twice in his first three caps.
Mateta’s arrival would signal a real statement of intent for Villa and give them two established strikers in the second half of the season, boosting the club’s chances of competing on all fronts in the process.
Aston Villa could make bombshell swap deal to sign Mateta - opinion
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Crystal Palace are evaluating a move for Aston Villa forward Evann Guessand following Mateta’s recent admission.
Guessand joined Villa over the summer from French side Nice. He impressed last season with 12 goals and nine assists in 33 Ligue 1 matches while playing a variety of different roles across the front three.
He was expected to be a suitable long-term replacement to Jhon Duran after his exit in January 2025, and also someone that could provide excitement in wide areas too. However, the Ivory Coast international is still waiting for his first goal contribution in the league, with his only two strikes coming in Europe.
He’s started six league matches and has appeared as a substitute seven times but has otherwise failed to get onto the pitch. Guessand was linked with a potential six-month loan spell to Besiktas to compensate for a Tammy Abraham deal. However, if they decide to pursue Mateta instead, it could make sense for Villa to put in an offer for the Frenchman with Guessand going in the opposite direction.
Perhaps a deal in the region of £30m with Guessand going in the opposite direction could suit both parties at this point in the season.