Crystal Palace have reportedly set their asking price for in-demand striker Jean-Philippe Mateta ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 27-year-old has been a standout performer for the Eagles since joining the club in January 2021, scoring 42 goals in 135 appearances, and he was named the club's Player of the Season in 2023-24.
After enduring a slow start to the 2024-25 campaign, Mateta has scored six goals in his last five Premier League appearances and he now seems to have rediscovered the prolific form that he displayed at the backend of the previous season when he scored 14 goals in his final 16 league games.
Manchester United have been credited with an interest in Mateta, who showed exactly what the Red Devils have been missing when he netted a brace in Palace's 2-0 victory at Old Trafford just over a week ago.
Mateta has also been added to Barcelona's shortlist, with Fichajes reporting that the La Liga giants have identified the Frenchman as a potential replacement for 36-year-old Robert Lewandowski.
Premier League clubs including Chelsea, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and West Ham United, as well as teams across Europe such as Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid and Marseille are also understood to be monitoring developments surrounding Mateta's future.
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Lyon enter race for £50m-rated Mateta?
All of those clubs seemingly face stern competition from Lyon, though, as The Sun reports that the Ligue 1 side - owned by Crystal Palace's largest shareholder John Textor - are keen to sign Mateta.
The report adds that Mateta is an 'ambitious target' for Lyon, and Texter wants to controversially lure the striker back to his homeland in the summer, something which would not go down well with Palace supporters.
However, Palace would ask for 'at least' £50m for Mateta, a figure seemingly out of Lyon's reach amidst their financial issues, while it is thought that the striker would only contemplate a move to an 'elite club' if he were to seek pastures new in the summer.
Lyon's slim hopes of signing Mateta could be boosted if they secure qualification for next season's Champions League; they currently sit sixth in Ligue 1 and four points behind fourth-placed Monaco.
According to Football Insider, Crystal Palace are set to hold crunch talks with Mateta over a new long-term contract, with his current deal due to expire in June 2027.
In December last year, the Eagles triggered a one-year option in Mateta's contract to extend his stay at the club, but Oliver Glasner's side are now believed to be keen to reward the striker with fresh terms in a bid to fend off interest in his services.
Oliver Thomas
