Former Everton CEO thinks Tottenham will have to pay more than £40m to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur delivered a big surprise to the fans on the summer transfer deadline day with the signing of Randal Kolo Muani.
After it emerged that Dominic Solanke’s injury was more concerning than the early prognosis, Spurs acted quickly and stunned Juventus by agreeing a season-long loan deal with Paris Saint-Germain for Randal Kolo Muani. The France international is expected to make his debut in the Premier League against West Ham United at the weekend.
However, it was later revealed that Kolo Muani was not Tottenham’s first-choice option. Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was the subject of a late £40million enquiry from Spurs on the deadline day. The Eagles rejected an approach as they did not want to sell their striker.
Former Everton CEO gives an update on the Crystal Palace striker’s future amid Spurs interest
Earlier this week, reports emerged that the Eagles will not entertain a January sale of Jean-Philippe Mateta, as he is such a crucial player for Oliver Glasner’s side. However, Tottenham may revive their interest in the Frenchman when the transfer window reopens, or at the end of the season.
Now, former Everton CEO Keith Wyness believes that Spurs will have to pay a much higher fee than the £40m they offered before to sign Mateta from Crystal Palace. This is due to the price for strikers currently being very high, with the 28-year-old having scored 30 Premier League goals across two seasons at Selhurst Park, and has already broken the duck this season in Palace’s 3-0 away win over Aston Villa before the international break.
“He’s one of the stars that they couldn’t let go. They’d already let a couple go, and I think he had to be there,” Keith Wyness told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast.
“I don’t think £40m is the right price for him at the moment, for a goal scorer. He’s probably worth a little bit more than that, but he’s one they couldn’t let go, so I was not surprised to see them stick their feet in on that one.
“He may end up going at some stage, but he’s going to be at a higher valuation. He’s a quality player and I think he’s going to have a good season, so we’ll see how that plays into it as well.
“But Palace, Glasner’s trying to build, and obviously Mateta likes Glasner, responds well to his management. The key to this is going to be where Glasner is going to be going forward as well. So we’ll see how Palace shape up on that one.
“I think they’re managing to at least keep hold of the semblance of most of the squad, that they did quite well with.”
Revisiting Mateta deal in January looks unlikely
Spurs are now well-stocked in the striker department. In Richarlison, Dominic Solanke and Kolo Muani, Thomas Frank has enough options to navigate the campaign, at least until the transfer window reopens.
Solanke’s latest ankle injury is a bit concerning and may lead to surgery, and going under the knife should sideline him for months. Yet, Frank will have two options in Richarlison and Kolo Muani at his disposal. Richarlison’s injury record at Spurs is not great, which will be a concern for the Danish tactician if the player sustains a fresh setback. In Mathys Tel, the Tottenham gaffer will be able to rely upon him at least in the Premier League, having decided to omit the Frenchman from his 22-man Champions League squad.
Keeping all factors in mind, the north Londoners reviving their interest in Mateta in the New Year appears unlikely.
