Aston Villa have registered their interest in one Crystal Palace star during the summer transfer window, as deals start to heat up.
The Eagles have had to tread carefully in the market, with plenty of Oliver Glasner’s star players being linked with exits.
Michael Olise’s move to Bayern Munich has been the one major loss so far for Crystal Palace in a window full of transfer links.
Marc Guehi has been rumoured with a move away from Palace, while Eberechi Eze has reported interest from Tottenham.
While the duo are yet to make that heavily touted move away from Selhurst Park, work has been done to strengthen the squad.
Chadi Riad joined from Barcelona, while Daichi Kamada reunited with Glasner at Crystal Palace as a free transfer.
Business looks far from being done, but much of it could depend on exits, as Jean-Philippe Mateta has become the latest to be rumoured with a move.
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Aston Villa want Jean-Philippe Mateta transfer
Mateta has become a man of interest this summer, following sparkling form at the end of the previous Premier League campaign.
With 14 goals in his last 16 games, plenty of eyes have been on the Frenchman over a potential transfer.
AS Roma have been linked with a move for Mateta, but appear to have moved on with a deal to pursue Artem Dovbyk of Girona.
However, according to the Express, Aston Villa are the latest team to express an interest in the 27-year-old.
The Villains, who will play Champions League football this season, are claimed to have made contact with Mateta’s camp over a move.
Just two years remain on the Frenchman’s deal at Selhurst Park, with the report adding that contract talks are currently at a standstill.
Any move this summer is likely to come later in the window, with Mateta competing for France in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Should Crystal Palace let Jean-Philippe Mateta leave?
The interest from Aston Villa brings about a new dilemma for Crystal Palace when it comes to the future of Mateta.
The Eagles will be keen to keep hold of the striker after a blossoming end to the previous campaign.
Should he replicate that form under Glasner this season, there is every confidence that the side can push higher up the table.
However, with a dwindling contract and no guarantee that his good form will continue, it may equally be a good time to cash in on a deal.
Crystal Palace paid just £9million to secure Mateta from Mainz in 2021, which could be turned into a large profit.
That naturally depends on any offer being made in the first place as well as the ability to find a replacement that suits the team.
It remains to be seen the route Palace go down, but with a precarious situation over the contract, clarity is needed sooner rather than later.
