During the summer transfer window, Gazzetta dello Sport spoke about Atalanta’s interest in Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta. Now, another Italian side has been told to sign the Frenchman.
The club in question is AC Milan, who are struggling for goals despite good performances in Serie A. Santiago Gimenez and Christopher Nkunku have failed to impress, making the Rossoneri feel the need for a consistent goalscorer.
Journalist Carlo Pellegatti wrote about these worries in a column for MilanNews.
He suggested Crystal Palace’s Mateta as a key target for Max Allegri’s side, writing: “I have a favourite. It’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, a 28-year-old French striker, 192 cm tall, currently at Crystal Palace, with a contract expiring in 2027, costing €25-30m.”
Pellegatti also claimed the Eagles could be interested in Gimenez, suggesting the Mexican as a replacement for Mateta.
Considering Mateta’s form over the last 12 months, he could fix Milan’s problems, but Pellegatti’s valuation of the player feels way off.
Even though the striker’s contract at Crystal Palace runs out in 2027, he has six Premier League goals this season. He scored 14 times in the 2024/25 campaign, establishing himself as a proven goalscorer in England.
Mateta is also well-settled into Oliver Glasner’s system.
Milan would have to pay much more than just €30m for the forward. Pellegatti is being overly optimistic.
