£9m player now suggests he was upset not to leave Crystal Palace during the summer

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The 2024 summer transfer window saw several players express a desire to leave Crystal Palace.

Firstly, Sam Johnstone asked to depart Crystal Palace after Oliver Glasner made it clear that Dean Henderson would be his No.1 at Selhurst Park this season.

Then, Naouirou Ahamada also requested an exit from SE25 due to a lack of playing time.

Now, another player has suggested they wanted to leave Crystal Palace as well during the summer transfer window – but the Eagles blocked an exit…

Jean-Philippe Mateta suggests he wanted to leave Crystal Palace

There were plenty of rumours about Jean-Philippe Mateta during the summer, after his remarkable end to the 2023/24 campaign and also due to his standout efforts for France at the Olympic Games.

The £9m man scored 13 goals in the final 13 Premier League games of last season, before netting five goals in six appearances at the Olympic Games as France won silver.

Amid his glut of goals, it was said that Mateta wanted to leave Crystal Palace for a UEFA Champions League side, as discussions over a new contract at Selhurst Park came to a standstill.

Now, the Frenchman has effectively confirmed that he did want to pursue another pathway during the summer, but Crystal Palace stood in his way.

Mateta tells L’Equipe: “I am a realistic person. The club didn’t want to sell me. Well, I’m moving on and I’m doing everything so that the team obtains better results than last year. When it’s time to ask ourselves these kinds of questions (about his future) we will ask ourselves.

“In football, you have to adapt quickly, concentrate on the upcoming deadlines and not dwell on the past.”

It is pleasing to know the 27-year-old is now fully focused on helping Crystal Palace, although it is admittedly a concern to hear that he did want to leave.

In case you missed it, Aston Villa were one side who tried to sign Mateta – making contact to ask about his situation before the rumours faded away, according to the Express.

Tough decision could be on the horizon

If Crystal Palace are unable to find a breakthrough in contract talks with Mateta, he may have to be sold at the end of the season.

By that point in time, the man from Sevran will only have 12 months remaining on his deal – which expires in July 2026 – meaning we risk losing a valuable asset for nothing if a sale is not carried out in 2025.

Hopefully, we do not find ourselves in that situation, and Mateta pens a new contract before the end of the current campaign.