According to the Daily Mail, Juventus have renewed their efforts to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace after their opening offer was rejected.
The Italian giants want to strengthen their attack mid-season and are in talks with Palace, but they have yet to reach the Premier League club’s valuation.
Juventus’ original offer consisted of a £1.7m loan fee and a £24.5m buyout obligation, which was conditional on European qualification.
This arrangement provided Palace with future financial security, but the total of around £26.2m was well below the £35m the London club were demanding for their in-form striker.
Juventus fall short of asking price for Mateta
Palace immediately rejected the bid, arguing that Mateta’s importance to the team, combined with his contract (until 2027), meant that he would not be allowed to leave unless his valuation was met.
The Bianconeri are actively searching for a striker to support Dusan Vlahovic, who has been sidelined intermittently due to injury problems.
Mateta has been tipped as an ideal option due to his physical presence and superiority in the air, his ability to play as a one-striker or part of a two-striker squad, and his Premier League goalscoring record, which has improved significantly over the past two seasons.
With Champions League football at stake, Juventus believe Mateta is a short-term addition with long-term value.
Crystal Palace took a firm stance
Palace’s stance has been shaped not only by Mateta’s recent form, but also by the club’s wider situation.
Having lost Michael Olise and Ebelesi Eze in the past period, and captain Marc Guehi also on his way to Manchester City, the board is reluctant to allow another important departure without receiving a hefty fee.
Juventus remain optimistic that they can close the gap, especially given that Mateta is interested in testing himself in Serie A and competing for the European title.
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