Crystal Palace & Nottingham Forest joined by Man Utd in transfer pursuit with Red Devils showing ‘interest’ in target

⚽ Background: Jean‑Philippe Mateta’s Rise at Crystal Palace

• Jean‑Philippe Mateta, a 27‑year‑old French striker, joined Crystal Palace from Mainz in 2021 and became a permanent signing in 2022. This season, he delivered a standout campaign: 15 Premier League goals and 3 assists across all competitions, making him one of Palace’s leading scorers The Scottish Sun+9Sports Mole+9EPL Index+9.
• Palace value him at around £40 million, notably because his contract runs through summer 2026, potentially expiring a year later if an option extension isn’t triggered Sports Mole+1Talksport+1.

Given his Premier League success and rising profile, Mateta has become an in-demand asset this summer.

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🟥 Nottingham Forest & Palace: A Transfer Tug-of‑War

• Nottingham Forest have officially entered the pursuit and are eyeing Mateta as a key summer signing to boost their goal threat ahead of Champions League–tainted ambitions The Sun.
• Earlier reports listed a host of clubs interested in Mateta: Nottingham Forest, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and now Manchester United among five teams monitoring his situation Wikipedia+15TEAMtalk+15Sports Mole+15.

Forest see him as a lower-cost option to reinforce their attack while stepping up in European competition. At the same time, his proven Premier League form—28 goals in 48 games under Oliver Glasner—makes him an attractive prospect for teams seeking a reliable finisher Sportskeeda.

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🔴 Manchester United Now in the Race

• Manchester United have registered formal interest in Mateta, viewing him as a viable backup or even starter option amid underwhelming returns from Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee Reddit+2Sports Mole+2Sportskeeda+2.
• United’s recruitment setup, led by Christopher Vivell, is targeting a striker if Viktor Osimhen doesn’t materialize—Mateta is seen as a cost-effective alternative around £40m Bavarian Football Works+15United in Focus+15TEAMtalk+15.
• Social commentary and fan forums suggest Palace are braced for bids, noting United are among the clubs linked with centre-back Marc Guehi too—indicating a broader interest in Palace assets .

United’s inclusion dramatically raises the stakes—and potentially the bargaining leverage—for Palace.

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📈 Comparative Overview

Club	Interest Level	Strategic Motivation	Budget/Valuation
Crystal Palace	Selling contender	Mateta’s form and contractual situation push sale	~£40m (up to £50m max)
Nottingham Forest	Active pursuit	Champions League qualification; need proven striker	Willing to pay ~£40m
Manchester United	Newly involved	Backup mark or competition for top striker options	Typically capped ~£40m

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🧠 Strategic Considerations

Crystal Palace’s Perspective

• Mateta fits into a sell-high philosophy: his form and contract timeline give Palace power to negotiate strongly.
• With reported interest from Newcastle (for Guehi), Bayern (Olise sold already), and demand in midfield/wing positions, Mateta’s sale funds broader reinforcements Sports Mole.

Forest Ambitions

• Their emergent standing—expected European football—makes Mateta a medium-risk signing with immediate upside.
• Forest had already been targeting other Palace players (e.g. Marc Guehi, Ademola Lookman), suggesting an overall interest in the club’s emerging assets .

Manchester United’s Play

• United need a consistent goal threat; searching for reinforcements beyond Højlund and Zirkzee.
• While Osimhen remains priority, Mateta represents a capable Plan B option, especially if higher-cost offers stall Reddit+2Sports Mole+2Sportskeeda+2.
• However, budget constraints and reliance on revenue from outgoing deals may limit early moves — United are cautious under Ineos governance and keen to avoid inflated fees above ~£60 million .

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🟣 Broader Market Dynamics

• Palace’s situation resembles earlier periods—selling star wingers like Eze last window or Verhaal—making Mateta another case of moving maturity-phase talent on.
• The Premier League’s spending is down year on year (~£2bn total), meaning clubs are prioritizing value-for-money rather than marquee splashes Talksport+15Talksport+15Sports Mole+15.
• Pressure on Forest to stay P&S-compliant pushes them toward structured buys like Mateta rather than speculative big-money names.
• United’s cautious posture and search for value align well with a £40m-rated striker—cheaper than Osimhen, but more reflective than academy prospects.

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🧾 Timeline of Key Events

• April 2025: TEAMtalk and other outlets reveal Mateta’s inclusion in a five-way pursuit alongside United, Forest, Atletico, Juventus, and Bayern Munich Sportskeeda+7TEAMtalk+7Sports Mole+7EPL IndexSports Mole+1EPL Index+1.
• Early Summer 2025: Forest push toward Champions League qualification, ramping up need for striker depth; United begin monitoring squad gaps .
• Mid-July 2025: Manchester United’s interest becomes clearer; their recruitment chief is scanning Eze, Wharton—but Mateta remains high on radar as attacking reinforcement .

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🔮 What’s Next?

1. Formal bids: Not yet confirmed—but expect Palace to receive concrete offers from Forest, perhaps United if they free up budget.
2. Sale triggers: Rafa appeals to renewal context—Mateta’s contract expires in 2026; next year’s lower leverage could heighten Palace’s urgency to act now.
3. Competitive positioning: United face competition from European clubs; Forest’s offer may include regular playing time as a key selling point.
4. Potential alternatives: If Mateta exit stalls, Palace may pivot to retain him or seek interested offers for Eze or Guehi to keep momentum.
5. Tactical implications:
   • For Palace: Loss means a renew of transfer income feed but may weaken attacking department.
   • For Forest: New striker for European push.
   • For United: Cover or upgrade necessary—Mateta as attainable Premier League-proven option.

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🏁 Summary

• Crystal Palace are open to letting Jean‑Philippe Mateta go this summer, valuing him around £40 million due to his stellar recent form and contract position.
• Nottingham Forest have emerged as active suitors, along with other clubs, aiming to reinforce their squad ahead of European football.
• Manchester United have now formally entered the race, scouting Mateta as a cost-effective striking solution amid their attacking shortfall—even if they pursue bigger names.
• This unfolding three-club bidding interplay encapsulates wider summer themes: value spending, contract leverage, evolving squad needs, and Premier League’s shifting transfer economy.