Manchester United may sign striker Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace if...

French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta may decide to leave Crystal Palace next summer, and Manchester United may join the race to sign him, reports said. The 28-year-old, who was linked to Liverpool last summer ahead of the arrival of Alexander Isak, is said to have made up his mind that it is time for him to look for a new base camp outside Selhurst Park.

Many fans may find it hard to believe that Manchester United would enter the market for yet another striker after getting Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo—both with plenty of Premier League experience. They also got Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig to ensure there is a clinical finisher to link up the two. However, none of the three have managed to live up to expectations yet, and Cunha has suffered an injury setback. It could be the reason why United have decided to invest further in their attack.

Meanwhile, United's poor start to the season is widely linked to the lack of horsepower in the middle of the park. A holding midfielder with the lungs to track back as many times as needed is said to be the piece that is most lacking in Rúben Amorim's squad. The 6 ft 4 in tall striker is a monster when it comes to aerial duels. Under Oliver Glasner, his finishing skills further improved, along with his runs into the box and the ability to position himself well to receive passes and meet crosses. This could be the reason why Amorim is convinced that bringing him on board could help his squad return to winning ways.

If Amorim wants another proven scorer, needless to say, it is not going to be cheap. However, Mateta could be a cheaper buy when compared to players in their early 20s. Crystal Palace has valued the Frenchman at approximately €50 million, Fichajes said in a report. His current deal runs until June 2026, and the club is positive about convincing him of an extension unless a very hefty offer arrives, the report added, citing sources within the club as saying.