Crystal Palace are blocking the deal taking Jean-Philippe Mateta to AC Milan as they’re yet to finalise a replacement.
That’s according to journalist Gianluca di Marzio. A report on his website provides the latest on Mateta’s move to Milan.
According to his information, the transfer is currently on hold. Negotiations with AC Milan are on standby because Crystal Palace are yet to find a replacement. Thus, they are refusing to sanction the deal for the French striker.
A report earlier today from Italy stated that the deal for Mateta was expected to be pushed through today. The Italian press were even expecting the ‘white smoke’. They use that reference to the announcement of a new Pope for transfers being completed.
Instead, according to Di Marzio, the deal is now on hold as Palace seek a replacement. They’ve been linked with several strikers this month.
The first choice appeared to be Angers striker Sidiki Cherif but they’re now behind Fenerbahçe for him. Reports in Türkiye today have the Super Lig side closing in on a loan deal with an obligation to buy.
In fact, according to journalist Erdem Akbaş, board member has travelled to France from Italy to finalise the move. He was seeking to finalise matters and get the 19-year-old to Istanbul.
That would presumably mean Crystal Palace turn their focus to Jorgen Strand Larsen. They’ve also been linked with a move for him as a replacement for Mateta. In fact, a £50m deal was reportedly agreed earlier this week.
That’s seemingly not the case, though, at least according to what Di Marzio reports from Italy. According to him, Crystal Palace haven’t worked out a replacement yet and that’s left Mateta’s move to Milan in limbo.
