One of Manchester United’s transfer targets has dealt them a blow as he now looks set to not depart his club this summer.
This summer is set to be full of transfers for Manchester United, with Ruben Amorim setting out his intentions to re-vamp the squad throughout last season’s disastrous Premier League campaign.
The new head coach has wasted no time beginning this rebuild, as already the club have signed Wolves star Matheus Cunha for £62.5 million.
United also have their eyes on a number of other attacking players this window, with a striker being one of the club’s top priorities.
Although, for the time being, it looks like United fans may have to wait a bit longer for their new number nine, with Liam Delap signing for Chelsea, and another, more experienced striker seemingly staying at his current club a while longer.
Mateta set for new contract after U-turn
The attacker in question is Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who netted a handsome 14 league goals – also winning Palace’s first ever trophy with their FA Cup win over Man City.
According to reports from BBC Sport, Mateta looks like he may be staying at Palace as a deal for a contract extension is ‘close’.
This scuppers plans for the forward to join United and be a part of an attacking line-up that would likely include Bryan Mbeumo.
Moreover, it is a complete U-turn on earlier information that the Frenchman had offered, previously stating that a move to United ‘appeals’ to him.
All hope is not yet lost for Mateta transfer
While a contract extension for the 27-year-old does appear to be ‘close’ to being finalised, there is still one massive obstacle that will definitely be on Mateta’s mind.
That is the fact that, while Palace have won the FA Cup, they may not be allowed to compete in the Europa League, normally a mandatory prize for the victors of this trophy.
This is due to one of their shareholders, the multi-club group Eagle Football, owning stakes in both Palace and Lyon, who are both in the competition next season.
UEFA rules forbid individuals from having control of more than one club in the same competition to avoid a conflict of interests.
Palace’s fate in this will be decided by the end of June, with the outcome potentially being a contributing factor to whether Mateta stays or goes.
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