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Juventus have renewed their attempt to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta after their first proposal was rejected, according to the Daily Mail. Palace are demanding £35 million and have told the Italian club the forward will not leave unless that valuation is met. Juventus’ initial package totalled about £26.2 million, including a loan fee and a conditional obligation to buy.
Juventus return for Mateta but Crystal Palace hold firm on £35m demand
Juventus have gone back to the negotiating table for Jean-Philippe Mateta after Crystal Palace turned down their opening approach, the Daily Mail reported. The Serie A club are looking to strengthen their attack mid-season and have been in discussions with Palace, but the Premier League side remain well short of accepting the terms offered so far.
The report said Juventus’ first proposal was structured as a £1.7 million loan fee with a £24.5 million obligation to buy that would be triggered on European qualification. While the deal format offered Palace future security, the overall package was valued at about £26.2 million and did not come close to the £35 million the London club want for the striker.
Palace rejected the bid immediately, pointing to Mateta’s importance to the squad and the fact he is under contract until 2027. Juventus have been searching for another striker to support Dusan Vlahović, who has been sidelined intermittently with injury issues, and see Mateta as a leading option as they assess targets.
The report described Mateta as an attractive fit because of his physical presence and aerial dominance, as well as his ability to play as a lone striker or as part of a front two. It added that his Premier League scoring record has improved significantly over the past two seasons, and Juventus view him as a boost with long-term value.
Palace’s firm stance is also shaped by wider squad changes, according to the report. The club have already lost Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze in previous windows and, with captain Marc Guéhi said to be on his way to Manchester City, the board are unwilling to approve another key departure without a major fee. Juventus, however, remain optimistic they can bridge the gap, with Mateta said to be interested in testing himself in Serie A and competing for European titles.
