Last January, Crystal Palace signed Jean-Philippe Mateta from FSV Mainz 05 on an 18-month loan deal, with an option to make his stay permanent next summer.
Since arriving at Selhurst Park, the striker has made 16 appearances in all competitions, managing three goals and an assist in the process.
Patrick Vieira was appointed as Roy Hodgson’s successor last summer and under the orders of the Frenchman, the 24-year-old struggled to enjoy regular minutes, until he came off the bench against Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing Day.
The Mainz owned player has featured in Palace’s last six games, during which he scored twice and registered an assist.
Mainz can ‘look forward to the warm shower of money’ they will receive from Palace. Behind their decision to buy the frontman, there is a ‘different background’ than the sporting one.
On Thursday, Blick stated FC Basel have Mateta ‘at the top of their list’ to replace Arthur Cabral, who is set to join Fiorentina.
FT now claim that Palace, after buying Mateta, could enter into negotiations with Basel ‘alone, without Mainz sitting at the table’.
