Mainz have been given ‘new hope’ that they can get €14m from Crystal Palace for striker Jean-Philippe Mateta after he returned to action for the Eagles.
That’s according to BILD, who say the striker’s recent appearances for Patrick Vieira’s side have renewed hope they will activate a clause in his current deal.
Mateta has been on loan with Crystal Palace from Mainz since January 2021 but has barely featured for them in that time.
He struggled for appearances under former manager Roy Hodgson, and that has continued under his replacement Vieira, who has only handed him five games and 232 minutes this season.
It has looked like the loan deal would be ended ‘prematurely,’ but he’s been back in the picture of late, with a 27-minute substitute appearance against Tottenham and then 81 minutes in the win over Norwich.
That’s something of a ‘turnaround’ for him and has given Mainz ‘new hope’ that they will get the €14m from a clause in his loan deal around appearances.
Mainz boss Christian Heidel has even commented on the situation, with him recently stating, “we’re watching his development from afar and keeping our fingers crossed for him.”
There’s no mention of how many appearances Mateta will need to make before the clause is activated, but he’s made 12 so far, and the fact Mainz are hopeful suggests the figure has to be close to that.
Of course, he’ll have to continue playing for Crystal Palace for it to be activated, but with Coronavirus and injuries decimating squads, that’s a real possibility, something Mainz will certainly be pleased about.
