Jean-Philippe Mateta Tells Crystal Palace He Wants to Leave Amid Aston Villa and Juventus Interest

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has informed the club of his desire to leave during the January transfer window, with Aston Villa and Juventus emerging as the leading contenders for his signature.

Sky Sports News understands that while Mateta is pushing for a move, Crystal Palace are not actively looking to sell and will only consider offers that meet their valuation. The France international still has 18 months remaining on his contract, which runs until the summer of 2027, placing Palace in a strong negotiating position.

Palace Reluctant to Sell Key Forward

Despite Mateta’s request, Palace are determined not to weaken their squad midway through a crucial season. The club remains ambitious, targeting a strong Premier League finish and a deep run in the UEFA Europa Conference League, their first major European campaign.

The Eagles have already sanctioned the sale of club captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City for £20m this month, while head coach Oliver Glasner has confirmed he will depart at the end of the season. Losing Mateta as well would further dismantle the spine of a team that lifted both the FA Cup andhf Community Shield in 2025.

Aston Villa and Juventus Monitoring Situation

Aston Villa have intensified their search for a striker and have identified Mateta as a potential solution. Unai Emery’s side are also exploring a deal for Tammy Abraham, currently on loan at Besiktas from Roma, but Mateta remains firmly on their shortlist.

Juventus, meanwhile, have not abandoned their pursuit but are cautious. The Italian giants are also working on a move for Youssef En-Nesyri as an alternative option, aware that Palace are unlikely to accept a cut-price deal.

Palace Set High Valuation

According to Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol, Palace would only consider selling Mateta for a fee in the region of £35–40m.

While the striker turns 29 in June and offers limited resale value, his consistent output, physical presence and experience at the top level make him a valuable asset. Palace rejected similar interest last summer, including late enquiries from Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.

Mateta’s Form and International Ambitions

Mateta has been a model of consistency for Palace this season, starting all 22 Premier League matches, scoring eight goals, and adding further contributions in cup competitions. Overall, he has registered 56 goals in 185 appearances for the club.

His recent France call-up, where he earned three caps and scored twice, has further fuelled his ambition. With the World Cup approaching, Mateta is keen to play Champions League football or join a club with realistic qualification prospects.

What This Means for Crystal Palace

Palace now face a delicate balancing act. While there is no immediate threat of relegation, the club has gone 10 matches without a win in all competitions, and morale has been tested by off-field uncertainty.

If Mateta departs, Palace will be forced back into the market for a replacement striker, adding to the rebuilding task already underway following the exits of key figures.

As the January window edges towards its conclusion, the question remains whether any club will meet Palace’s valuation—or whether Mateta will be forced to wait until the summer for his next move.

Source: Skysports.com

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