Tottenham and Aston Villa are tracking Jean-Philippe Mateta ahead of a potential cut-price January transfer.
Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are both positioning themselves to make a move for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta when the transfer window reopens in January. According to reports from Football Insider via Transfer News Live on X, the 28-year-old French international remains high on the recruitment shortlists of both Premier League clubs and could be available for a significantly reduced transfer fee.
Crystal Palace leadership are increasingly aware that the upcoming winter window represents their final opportunity to receive a transfer fee for Mateta before his contract officially expires next summer. With contract extension negotiations stalling at Selhurst Park, the Palace board must evaluate whether to sell their focal point in January or risk losing him for free at the end of the campaign.
Mateta has established himself as one of the most effective traditional center-forwards in the Premier League, combining powerful hold-up play with elite aerial presence and clinical finishing inside the penalty box. His strong form has made him an attractive proposition for clubs seeking a battle-tested goalscorer without paying inflated mid-season transfer premiums.
Addressing Tottenham’s Central Striker Void
For Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi, tracking Mateta directly addresses a key structural need within the first-team squad. Following an opening stretch to the Premier League season where Spurs failed to score against Brentford and Newcastle, adding proven finishing power remains an urgent priority for the coaching staff.
Although summer signings Omar Marmoush and Iliman Ndiaye provide dynamic movement and creative versatility across the front line, the recent omission of Richarlison from Tottenham’s official Premier League squad submission has left the team short on natural target-man options. Mateta’s physical profile would offer De Zerbi a direct aerial outlet and an unselfish focal point capable of bringing wingers like Sávio and Mykhailo Mudryk into attacking phases.
Tottenham will not have a free run at the 28-year-old forward, as Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are equally eager to reinforce their attacking depth ahead of a grueling second half of the season. Villa view Mateta as an ideal addition to rotate alongside their current striking department as they pursue domestic and European ambitions.
With technical director Johan Lange overseeing Tottenham’s transfer strategy, Spurs are expected to keep close tabs on Mateta’s situation over the autumn months. If Crystal Palace sanction a cut-price sale in January, Tottenham could act quickly to beat Villa to the Frenchman’s signature and provide De Zerbi with the clinical goalscorer needed to drive their campaign forward.
