Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is attracting interest from Juventus, according to Sky Sport Italy.
The Serie A club have made an ‘initial enquiry’. If the 36-time Italian champions cannot persuade Palace to sell him in the winter transfer window, they will try again in June.
The Eagles will demand €30-35 million to let him go. Juve are ready to part ways with Dusan Vlahovic and are keen on the Palace star.
Mateta has been a fantastic servant to Palace, spearheading the club to success in last season’s FA Cup.
The 28-year-old has bagged 56 goals and 13 assists in 184 appearances for Palace, including 10 this season.
However, this summer may be the ideal moment for Palce to part ways with the striker.
The 28-year-old will be entering the final year of his contract, and while his contribution to the team goes beyond raw numbers, the underlying data raises fair questions.
Despite scoring eight league goals this season, he has missed 15 big chances. Mateta bagged 14 league goals but spurned 19 big chances last term.
His physicality, aerial presence and ability to bring others into play have made him invaluable to Palace’s structure, often allowing the midfield to push higher and easing pressure.
However, goals remain the currency that ultimately defines a striker.
With his value still relatively high and interest from Juventus, Palace could cash in at the right time rather than risk losing leverage.
The challenge for the Eagles will be finding a successor who can replicate Mateta’s hold-up play while offering a more ruthless edge in front of goal.
