Jean-Philippe Mateta
Nottingham Forest have reportedly made a substantial £35 million bid for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, as they aim to enhance Sean Dyche’s attacking options. Mateta is said to be eager to leave Selhurst Park this month, and personal terms for a move to the City Ground are not expected to be an issue. However, Crystal Palace is holding out for a package closer to £40 million and is looking for a suitable replacement before agreeing to the transfer.
Simon Jordan said: “It depends what I’m lining up as a replacement. I’m not a fan of Mateta. I think he’s a streaky player that did OK. I think he hit a wicked vein of form last year and looked really good, but prior to that, he – with due respect to Dele – looked like a rich man’s Dele Adebola. He didn’t look like a physical athlete. He’s got himself in the French team. I’m not surprised that Wilfried Zaha was laughing at him 18 months ago when he couldn’t even get in Palace’s first team and was having dreams of playing in the French team. So with all that in mind, if Mateta wants to leave, and I’ve got myself (a replacement) lined up…”
Mateta has been a regular starter for Crystal Palace, featuring in all 23 of their Premier League matches this season and scoring eight goals. However, his recent form has seen a dip, with only two goals in his last 11 league appearances. Last season, the 28-year-old managed to score 14 goals in 37 league outings, showcasing his potential as a valuable asset for any team.
Crystal Palace is reportedly eyeing Jorgen Strand Larsen as a potential replacement for Mateta. Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, is also considering other targets, including a forward from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The situation highlights the competitive nature of the transfer market as clubs look to strengthen their squads strategically.
Simon Jordan added: “My views on that are clear, but I’m not a scout. I went and watched Jarrod Bowen play for Hull four or five years ago and thought he was not particularly good, so that shuts me right up, doesn’t it? At the end of the day, I’ve watched Strand Larsen, I think he’s a donkey. If Palace think he’s something different and they’ve got the replacement… Some would say 18 months ago that Mateta is one and he’s hit a vein of form under Oliver Glasner. No one will be able to see your personal information and you will only receive messages from the NottinghamshireLive Reds writers. Everybody in the end gets what they deserve. You can look at the karma that goes around football and work out where it lands. The manager’s going to go, they’ll replace him with another manager that will hopefully keep Palace afloat in the Premier League and order will be returned.”
As Nottingham Forest prepares to host Crystal Palace at the City Ground on Sunday, the match is crucial for both teams, who are near the bottom of the table. Crystal Palace is currently only three points above Forest, making this encounter significant in the battle for Premier League survival. The potential transfer of Mateta could have implications for both clubs’ strategies moving forward.
Simon Jordan concluded: “It’s not ideal. Ultimately, I think Palace’s main concern, if they’re going to get drawn into a relegation battle, is with West Ham and Burnley at the moment. I don’t suppose Palace are running around knocking on Nottingham Forest’s door. I don’t suppose they phoned up their rivals and said, by the way, would you like us to sell you our player? They made a bid. What Palace probably would ideally like to do is use that as a stalking horse to be able to jack some other fool up that wants to pay more money for him.”
The outcome of this transfer saga remains to be seen, but it is clear that both clubs are actively working to position themselves advantageously in the Premier League.
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