Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with the Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta once again.
They tried to sign the 28-year-old French striker during the summer transfer window, but they had an offer for him. The player is nearing the end of his contract at the London club, and he has been linked with an exit.
It will be interesting to see if Tottenham return for him in January. They need a quality striker who can find the back of the net regularly, and Mateta would be a quality addition. He has proven himself in the Premier League, and he could make an immediate impact.
Given his contract situation, it is fair to assume that Spurs might be able to sign him for a reasonable amount of money.
Tottenham are long-term admirers of Jean-Philippe Mateta
Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider: “They made a cheeky offer for him right at the end of the last summer transfer window, which Palace batted away.
“He’s under contract until 2027 but if he’s not going to sign a new deal by next summer, you would imagine Palace would be more increasingly open to selling Mateta to get a fee for him, rather than potentially letting him run down his contract.
“So, that could open the door for Spurs to make a move for the Frenchman.
“He’s a proven striker in the Premier League now over the last couple of seasons so be a really good fit for Spurs. There’s also reported interest from Italy, from AC Milan as well, in Mateta.”
Can Spurs sign Mateta in January?
It will be interesting to see if Crystal Palace are willing to sanction the departure of a key player in the middle of the season. Ideally, they will want to keep him until the end of the season. They are competing in European football, and they will look to finish high up in the table. Keeping the attacker at the club will be a priority for them.
On the other hand, Tottenham have struggled in recent weeks, and they need a reliable goal scorer. The French attacker could transform them in the final third and help them do well during the second half of the campaign.