AC Milan have agreed a €30m deal with Crystal Palace for striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, but the January transfer hinges on the Premier League side securing a replacement. The French striker has already agreed personal terms with Milan and prefers San Siro over Nottingham Forest. According to Football-italia.net.
Milan close to €30m Mateta signing as Palace replacement hunt continues
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Milan have made significant overnight progress in negotiations for Jean-Philippe Mateta, agreeing a €30m fee with Crystal Palace. The Rossoneri are pushing to finalise the deal in the remaining days of the January transfer window as they seek attacking reinforcements.
The French striker has reportedly agreed personal terms with Milan worth €3m-€3.5m per season plus add-ons and favours a move to San Siro over joining Nottingham Forest. Forest remain strongly interested in Mateta, but the player’s preference appears to lie with the Italian giants rather than staying in the Premier League.
Palace’s willingness to sanction the January departure depends entirely on securing a replacement striker first. Crystal Palace are reportedly in talks to sign Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolverhampton, with the Norway international identified as their preferred option to fill the void left by Mateta’s potential departure.
If Palace successfully complete the signing of Strand Larsen, who previously played for Milan’s youth system, then Mateta will be cleared to join Milan immediately. The interconnected nature of these deals means Milan’s pursuit remains on hold until Palace resolve their own striker situation in South London.
Milan have already strengthened their attack this month by signing Niclas Fullkrug from West Ham. The addition of Mateta would provide further depth and quality to their forward line as they continue their Serie A campaign and European commitments.
