Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is reportedly unlikely to extend his contract with the Eagles and is understood to be keen on a summer move to Italy.
He was close to completing a £30m move to AC Milan at the end of the January deadline, but a medical issue on deadline day saw the deal fall through.
However, it looks like the Serie A side may try their luck once again for the France international, who could possibly leave within the next few weeks.
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Mateta unlikely to extend contract with Palace
According to the Daily Mail, Mateta is unlikely to extend his contract at Selhurst Park, which is in the final year of his contract.
Milan would be interested in bringing back the Frenchman, but the departure of manager Massimiliano Allegri and several San Siro executives could complicate matters.
Nottingham Forest also maintain their previous interest in the Palace striker, but are reportedly keen on a move to Italy if he leaves south London during the off-season.
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Could Palace sign Mateta this summer?
Mateta, who returned from being a pariah after being booed by his own supporters at Selhurst Park in January (and angering some team-mates), could complete his revenge tonight if he makes a decisive contribution in the Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.
This scenario, in addition to him being included in France’s star-studded squad for the World Cup, would certainly increase his rating, and if this were to be his last match for Palace, he would be quite expensive to play.
Add in the fact that he has just over a year left on his contract, and that the Eagles may reluctantly grant the 28-year-old’s wish to move to Serie A, with Evan Guessand’s loan move from Aston Villa potentially becoming a permanent move over the summer.
But Mateta, who was hailed as a “great character” by Thierry Henry, will undoubtedly be a huge failure at Selhurst Park if he leaves in the coming weeks after scoring 15 goals this season, despite injury problems and unpleasant talk over his future over the winter.
The final decision could ultimately come down to the structure of the offer made to the 28-year-old in the summer and whether he pushes for a departure, in which case Palace bosses may be unwilling to stand in his way.
