Jean-Philippe Mateta is still yet to sign a new contract with Crystal Palace.
The Frenchman has been haggling with Steve Parish since the summer as he nears the final 18 months of his current deal, which will expire in June 2026.
That may seem like a while away yet, but should the £9m man reach a stage where he has just 12 months remaining on his contract, it would significantly decrease his value, while he could even negotiate a free transfer exit with an overseas side from as early as January 2026.
Therefore, it is an issue Parish must deal with, or else a decision might need to be made on whether to cash in on the Crystal Palace No.14 this coming January.
Now, it has been revealed how much Jean-Philippe Mateta is actually requesting to sign a new contract at Selhurst Park.
Jean-Philippe Mateta contract latest
Alan Nixon has now claimed that the man born in Sevran wants £90,000-a-week to commit himself to Crystal Palace.
The reliable journalist wrote that Dougie Freedman has placed Stade Reims No.22 Oumar Diakite at the top of his list should Mateta end up leaving, although Crystal Palace are still keen to keep the 27-year-old around, and may soon end up meeting his wage demands.
However, the Frenchman is a wanted man after his stunning 2023/24 campaign – in which he netted 16 Premier League goals – and his exploits for France at the Olympic Games, where he helped to secure a silver medal after scoring five goals in six appearances.
Therefore, Crystal Palace are keen to be at the front of the queue to sign Diakite if another club does pinch Mateta – who Eberechi Eze finds hilarious – from Selhurst Park, with Nixon claiming that Freedman made a fresh enquiry to Stade Reims last week.
Interestingly, Mateta kicked the corner flag to celebrate his goal against Tottenham lately, a celebration he allegedly, and quite childishly, put on ice amid disagreements during contract talks, so a renewal could be on.
Crystal Palace should offer the £90,000-a-week Mateta wants
Mateta currently earns £50,000-a-week in SE25, and his efforts over the past 12 months are worthy of a £40,000-a-week increase on that salary, especially when you consider what some of his teammates earn.
According to Salary Sport, Daichi Kamada is our highest earner on £105,000-a-week, although it should be noted that players are often offered a better contract when arriving on a free transfer, due to the lack of a transfer fee being involved.
Furthermore, Dean Henderson and Eze earn £100,000-a-week, while Eddie Nketiah, who has failed to match Mateta’s efforts so far this season, makes £90,000-a-week, so you can understand why the Frenchman would at least like to receive as much as his inferior strike partner.
