Serie A giants Juventus have reportedly ruled out a January move for 28-year-old French international Jean-Philippe Mateta due to Crystal Palace’s asking price of €40 million.
According to an update by David Ornstein on The Athletic, Jean-Philippe Mateta is the subject of interest of Juventus. The Serie A heavyweights are keen on reinforcing their offensive unit by signing a striker in the winter transfer window. So, the 28-year-old Crystal Palace centre-forward has emerged as a target for the Bianconeri.
However, a January move to the Allianz Stadium will not materialise, as the European giants have cooled their interest in the Frenchman. Crystal Palace’s asking price of €40 million has compelled Juventus to look elsewhere, and they will instead pursue Youssef En-Nesyri in the winter transfer window.
How has Jean-Philippe Mateta fared at Crystal Palace?
Jean-Philippe Mateta has established himself as one of the most reliable strikers in the Premier League since joining Crystal Palace from FSV Mainz 05. While the 28-year-old took some time to become a pivotal figure for the South London club, Oliver Glasner has transformed him into a top-class centre-forward in the last few years.
The French international has made nearly 200 appearances for Crystal Palace thus far, chipping in with 56 goals and 13 assists. Meanwhile, Mateta’s progress in the last few seasons has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs. Recent reports have linked the Crystal Palace mainstay with Juventus.
What next for Mateta?
Juventus’s interest in Jean-Philippe Mateta makes sense. The Serie A giants have been combing the market for a striker heading into the winter transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding Dusan Vlahovic’s long-term future. Additionally, Lois Openda has been inconsistent since joining Juventus from RB Leipzig last summer.
Several candidates, including Joshua Zirkzee, have thus emerged on Juventus’s radar, with Mateta also a viable target. However, the latest report has revealed that the Serie A heavyweights have ruled out a January move for the Frenchman due to Crystal Palace’s asking price of €40 million.
So, while Mateta has been keen on joining Juventus in the winter transfer window, Crystal Palace’s eagerness to recoup €40 million from his sale has compelled the Bianconeri to look elsewhere. Youssef En-Nesyri has emerged as an alternative to the 28-year-old French international, who will likely remain at Selhurst Park until the summer.
