Crystal Palace are expected to have a clear out this summer, but one player has made himself unsellable and is now in line for a new contract.
For Oliver Glasner, there is the chance this summer to start afresh at Crystal Palace given it’s set to be a busy summer.
Something of a squad overhaul is in the offing, with eight first-team players out of contract and several more likely to be sold.
READ MORE: Eight Crystal Palace players out of contract who could leave Selhurst Park in summer 2024
This departure-heavy window could even see some stars depart with Michael Olise and Marc Guehi two names heavily linked with a departure.
But there is one player who looks absolutely nailed on to remain, despite his desire to leave earlier this year.
Jean-Philippe Mateta set for Crystal Palace contract talks
The player who looks set to remain at Palace this summer is the in-form forward, Jean-Philippe Mateta.
This represents a real turnaround after reports in December suggested he was actually eyeing up a departure in January.
It didn’t work out this way for the Frenchman and now he’s got four goals in six under Glasner, the best form he’s seen since arriving for £9m in 2022.
It gets even better for Mateta though, as he’s now in line to hold contract talks with the Eagles before the current campaign draws to a close, according to BBC Sport.
A new contract would likely see him handed a pay rise on his current £50k-a-week wage.
It would also be a deterrent this summer after interest recently from Stuttgart, Betis, and Sevilla.
READ MORE: All Crystal Palace player wages for the 2023/24 season, Ranked
Handing Mateta a new contract is best for everyone at Crystal Palace
For Palace, this summer could see a significant amount of upheaval, so tying down arguably the best performer under Glasner could be an excellent move.
Mateta’s turnaround at the club has been remarkable and shows that perhaps he was just waiting for the right manager all along.
With his four goals in just six games to date, Mateta has even begun to draw comparisons to Erling Haaland – although they are mostly tongue and cheek for now.
This seems to be the best deal for everyone involved as Mateta could become a real leader and figurehead in the Glasner era at Selhurst Park.
