Manchester United are reportedly turning their attention to Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta for the January transfer window as Benjamin Sesko faces an extended absence due to a shin injury. With the club needing a reliable finisher and Tottenham also monitoring the player, a mid-season move for the French forward is becoming increasingly likely.

Manchester United are reportedly turning their attention to Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta for the January transfer window as Benjamin Sesko faces an extended absence due to a shin injury. With the club needing a reliable finisher and Tottenham also monitoring the player, a mid-season move for the French forward is becoming increasingly likely.

Manchester United are reportedly turning their attention to Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta for the January transfer window as Benjamin Sesko faces an extended absence due to a shin injury. With the club needing a reliable finisher and Tottenham also monitoring the player, a mid-season move for the French forward is becoming increasingly likely.

Benjamin Sesko's unavailability means Manchester United will once again try and convince Jean-Philippe Mateta to join them, a new report said. The French World Cup star is looking to find an exit door from Crystal Palace and may ultimately get one in January when the Red Devils come knocking, a report said.

United are not ruling out surgery for Benjamin Sesko as they weigh up treatment options for his shin injury. He will be unavailable at least until the New Year, meaning Joshua Zirkzee will have to operate alongside out-of-position Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. A clinical finisher is as important as a reliable left-back for United, and a move is almost certain in both departments when the January window opens.

According to available information, Manchester United originally wanted Dominic Calvert-Lewin. However, the experienced striker is not interested in leaving Leeds United in January, which resulted in the search reaching Selhurst Park.

Mateta had a brilliant campaign last season, but Palace look disoriented and weakened this year, standing just one slot above relegation after eight rounds. Mateta has had just three appearances so far and is yet to find the back of the net.

The €30 million-rated striker, who signed from Mainz in 2022, has got one more year left on his current contract. He was tracked by United when Ruben Amorim was in charge, as the 6 ft 4 in tall striker is a monster when it comes to aerial duels. Under Oliver Glasner, his finishing skills further improved at Palace, along with his runs into the box and his ability to position himself well to receive passes and meet crosses.

A mid-season sale could cost United more than €30 million, and Tottenham are also tracking developments, TEAMtalk said in a report.

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