Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has been heavily linked with a January move to Tottenham.
Tottenham Hotspur need to prioritise strengthening their attack in the upcoming transfer window if they are to close the gap on their rivals this season. The Lilywhites must ensure they sign players who can slot into the first XI under Thomas Frank and make an immediate impact.
Thomas Frank has had to rely on Richarlison for goals, with Dominic Solanke sidelined for months and Randal Kolo Muani’s Spurs career yet to kickstart following his deadline day loan move from Juventus. Despite his inconsistency, Richarlison has managed to score seven goals in the Premier League and is the club’s top scorer. Centre-back Micky van de Ven is the next in line with three league goals, which speaks volumes about Tottenham’s problems in attack.
To address the goalscoring woes, Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta has emerged as a target for Spurs. Amid uncertainty surrounding his future, the north Londoners are planning to test Crystal Palace’s resolve with a potential bid in January.
Crystal Palace block Jean-Philippe Mateta from leaving the club in January
Jean-Philippe Mateta has shouldered the goalscoring burden for Crystal Palace in the last couple of seasons. The Frenchman has netted 55 goals in 179 appearances for the Eagles, including nine in all competitions this campaign.
However, with his contract expiring in 2027, the centre-forward still unsure over signing a new deal has seen his future being called into question in recent months. This has encouraged Tottenham to consider a winter approach.
In the wake of this, TEAMtalk claims that Crystal Palace have told Mateta that he cannot leave Selhurst Park under any circumstances in January, making their stance clear. Regardless of demanding improved terms for much of the year, the south London club’s hierarchy feel the extension he signed in 2024 is good enough for him to continue with another deal until the summer of 2026.
Mateta and his camp, after he emerged on the radars of Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs during the summer transfer window, made the point to the Eagles that he needs to be paid more in the bracket of top European strikers. Palace have held talks with the 28-year-old’s entourage, but the terms they are prepared to offer are not close to what the France international has been demanding.
“The club are comfortable with how things are; they are open to Mateta getting some sort of extension, but the player is demanding somewhat more than what is on offer,” the source told TEAMtalk.
“Palace have him under contract until 2027, they don’t need to sell him in January or even next summer, they won’t be forced into anything.”
Setback for Spurs?
It is understandable why Oliver Glasner and Palace have blocked Mateta from leaving in January. Negotiations over a new deal have gone into an impasse, but Palace’s decision not to let their star striker leave should come as a blow to Tottenham.
Thomas Frank had hoped to sign the 28-year-old to boost his strike force for the second half of the campaign, where the Lilywhites will need to cover a lot of games. Mateta is in his prime and could’ve made an immediate impact at White Hart Lane by becoming the focal point in Tottenham’s attack.
However, the recent developments surrounding the France international’s future means Frank and Co. must switch their focus to other targets to improve the forward options.
