Expert: Crystal Palace readying new contract talks with 'unbelievable' star
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(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media, Getty Images)
Callum O'Connell
Thu 11 September 2025 12:00, UK
Crystal Palace are planning to hold contract talks with Jean-Philippe Mateta “urgently” amid growing interest in his signature from across Europe.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Oliver Glasner‘s side cannot afford to lose the 28-year-old.
Eberechi Eze joined Arsenal during the summer window, and Marc Guehi is expected to leave in 2026, with Palace losing two of their best players in quick succession.
As a result, the Eagles are not prepared to see another key player walk away and are expected to take steps towards extending Mateta’s deal beyond its 2027 expiry date.
This comes after Football Insider revealed Crystal Palace will turn down offers for Mateta in January after also rejecting moves during the summer window.
Credit: Imago
Brown told Football Insider in May that Mateta is happy at Crystal Palace despite the intense speculation surrounding his future at Selhurst Park.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted the Eagles will now focus on keeping their star striker at the club long-term.
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“We know how important Mateta is for Crystal Palace,” he told Football Insider.
“He leads the line for them so well, holds the ball up, brings his teammates into the game and he scores a fair few goals for them too.
“After losing Eze and it looks like they’ll lose Guehi at some stage as well, they can’t afford to keep letting their best players leave.
“Crystal Palace’s strength has been that spine of the team.
“[Dean] Henderson, Guehi, [Adam] Wharton, Eze, Mateta, they’re the foundation of the success they’ve had.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
“Losing one, they can deal with, maybe even losing two if they get the right replacements.
“Start losing three or four, they’re going to have some real problems.
“So it’s no surprise they turned down offers for Mateta during the summer, especially late in the window, and I expect they’ll be focused on keeping him.
“They want to give him a new contract, and it’s fair to say he probably deserves one.
“That’s something they have to do urgently, make sure he’s tied down and there are no doubts about his future because they can’t afford to lose him.“
Since joining Palace four years ago, Mateta has scored 49 goals and registered 11 assists in 158 games in all competitions.
Mateta was subject to a number of offers during the transfer window, with the likes of Tottenham, Liverpool and Atalanta all making moves throughout the summer.
Liverpool held talks with Mateta’s representatives, while Tottenham saw a late enquiry dismissed, and Atalanta had a £30million offer turned down.
Meanwhile, the Eagles received a mega-money £50million offer during the window from an unnamed Champions League club, but turned it down.
A £50m sale would represent Palace’s second-highest fee received following Eze’s £67.5million move to Arsenal, but he is seen as too important to Glasner’s side.
Last season, the Frenchman scored 17 goals in all competitions as Palace lifted the FA Cup, and was dubbed “unbelievable” by Sky Sports‘ Izzy Christiansen.
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