Crystal Palace in transfer U-turn after Aston Villa and Juventus enquiries
Aston Villa and Juventus have gained responses from Crystal Palace after registering an interest in a key player.
Crystal Palace have reportedly rebuffed approaches from Aston Villa and Juventus for star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The Eagles have issued a hands-off warning, stating that the Frenchman is simply not for sale. This comes as quite the U-turn on the club’s stance in January, as Palace were then open to letting Mateta go at the right price.
The Standard reports talks are ongoing over a new contract for Mateta but negotiations are rumbling on, hence the hopeful swoops from elsewhere. Villa and Juventus both contacted Palace to express an interest but have since been told to think again.
Unai Emery’s side even spoke closely with Mateta’s camp to in a bid to persuade the attacker to switch London for England’s second city. It awaits to be seen how those talks went but Palace won’t let it get to the stage of discussing personal terms, at least if they stick to their word.
Mateta, currently completing at the Olympic Games in Paris, contributed an impressive 16 goals and five assists in 35 Premier League matches last season. The 27-year-old finally came alive after disappointing previous campaign following his €11 million (£9.2 million) transfer from Mainz in 2022.
Heading into his prime years, Mateta could have been an excellent option for Villa alongside Ollie Watkins but other options will have to be considered. Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix remains a dream target but talks are moving slowly.