According to TalkSPORT, Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta would be open to joining Manchester United during the winter transfer window.
The Frenchman has been one of the best-performing centre-forwards in the Premier League and he has netted a combined tally of 42 goals in the division over the last three campaigns.
Mateta was close to joining AC Milan on a permanent deal for £30 million last winter, but a deal did not materialise after he failed a medical for a knee injury which he was nursing.
The 29-year-old recovered from the same to end the season on a strong note with Conference League glory, but he has barely played this campaign after a hamstring injury in August.
The setback derailed his chances of leaving Palace last summer, but he is expected to depart in January, given he has no plans of extending his Eagles contract beyond the end of June.
Palace are also likely to sanction his sale rather than lose him on a free transfer, and talkSPORT claim that Mateta would be keen on a move to United at the beginning of the New Year.
United have held a keen interest in the World Cup semi-finalist in the past, and could return for his services if they seek to pursue a new marksman when the transfer window reopens.
Must sign
United have relied on Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo as makeshift strikers during the early part of the current season.
Benjamin Sesko is the specialist and first-choice number nine, but he has not played for weeks after suffering a recurrence of a shin injury sustained against Liverpool in the back end of last term.
There is no return date for the Slovenian star at the moment, and The Sun have gone on to claim that the former RB Leipzig man could potentially be sidelined until the beginning of next year.
If that ends up being the case, there is no guarantee that Sesko would get up to speed immediately after a lengthy lay-off and United could seek another centre-forward to add to their ranks this winter.
Joshua Zirkzee is the other number nine in the squad, but he has been a fringe player for the last few years. He was widely tipped to leave in the summer and a transfer could now materialise in January.
United may ideally prefer to sanction his permanent exit such that they can utilise the funds to land Mateta, who could be available for a knockdown price with his contract expiring next summer.
Palace won’t be in a position to demand anywhere close to the £30m price last winter. A deal could utmost be done at £15m, though the final fee could be even less if Mateta actively pushes for an exit.
Mateta would be a good upgrade in the striker’s position for United. He is powerfully built and can hold up the ball as well as link-up play. On top of this, he has the gifted ability to find space in the box to capitalise on chances and score.
United must sign him in January. They have a clear advantage with the player favouring a move to Old Trafford.
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