Man Utd, Tottenham offered late window move for Mateta as Crystal Palace situation turns ugly

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s representatives are working hard to find him a new club, and TEAMtalk can reveal that Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are among those approached about a potential move.

Mateta has been looking to leave Crystal Palace for much of the last 12 months and came close to departing in January, when proposed moves to AC Milan and Juventus broke down because of an issue with his knee.

Since then, the 29-year-old has also challenged the validity of the final 10 months of his Palace contract, arguing that the additional year should not have been activated. The original agreement, signed after his 2021 move from Mainz, contained a 12-month option which Palace subsequently took up.

Mateta took that case to a Premier League tribunal and then to FIFA, but his contract remains in place, and he continues to play for Palace. He started their opening-day defeat at Everton, missing two big chances to get on the scoresheet.

Despite that, sources insist that Mateta remains determined to leave before the September 1 transfer deadline and his representatives are now actively working through several possibilities.

However, Palace are adamant that his demands will fall on deaf ears and they have insisted they do not want to sell the seven-cap France star, even though he could leave for free next summer if he remains at Selhurst Park…

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The situation is reminiscent of Marc Guehi last season, when Palace resisted attempts to sell their captain and ultimately held on to him until January.

Sources understand a similar scenario could develop with Mateta if no club meets Palace’s demands before the deadline.

We can confirm, though, that United have been approached as they continue to assess their forward options.

Michael Carrick’s side could still sell Marcus Rashford, while Joshua Zirkzee is also a likely candidate to depart. As a result, Mateta could become an option if further movement is made in their attack.

Tottenham have also been contacted and retain long-term admiration for the 135-goal star.

Spurs are on the brink of completing deals for Savinho and Omar Marmoush from Manchester City, but we understand they still want to add another forward to their attacking group.

Reports over the weekend revealed that Spurs are also eyeing a surprise move for a Chelsea striker to boost their forward line.

Aston Villa are another club to have been made aware of Mateta’s situation as they continue searching for a striker.

Villa began the new Premier League season without a recognised senior striker, with Ollie Watkins pushing towards his expected move to Al-Hilal.

We revealed over the weekend that there is growing confidence that a move to take the England striker to the Middle East will get done.

TEAMtalk can also confirm that Atletico Madrid are very much involved in the Mateta conversations as they look for options, while there is interest from the Saudi Pro League.

The striker is understood to be open to options in Saudi Arabia as he weighs up the next step in his career.

For now, the striker remains a Palace player, but his representatives are pushing hard to find a solution, and the situation will be one to watch in the final eight days of the window.

One man who looks unlikely to be leaving Selhurst Park this summer is Adam Wharton after the Eagles’ final verdict on selling the England man was revealed and amid fresh links to Liverpool and Manchester City.