Aston Villa Pursue Jean-Philippe Mateta as Transfer Hijack Plan Emerges
Aston Villa have reportedly entered the race to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta during the January transfer window, according to fresh reports. The Premier League club are exploring a potential deal for the French forward as complications persist over a possible return for former loanee Tammy Abraham.
Swap Deal Possibility with Crystal Palace
The Athletic claims that Villa have expressed concrete interest in Mateta, whose contract at Selhurst Park has just 18 months remaining. Interestingly, the report suggests Crystal Palace maintain interest in Villa forward Evann Guessand, potentially paving the way for a swap arrangement between the two clubs in the coming weeks.
This development comes as Villa's hierarchy actively seek attacking reinforcements to provide competition for established striker Ollie Watkins. While Tammy Abraham has been linked with a sentimental return to Villa Park, discussions involving the English striker remain complex due to his current loan situation at Besiktas from AS Roma, which includes a buy option.
Mateta's Situation and Transfer Valuation
Mateta's potential transfer may present fewer complications than Abraham's, though several factors remain in play. The 28-year-old remains an important component of Crystal Palace's squad, but with his contract winding down, an exit remains plausible. Palace manager Oliver Glasner recently acknowledged this possibility, stating there would be a price at which the club would consider a sale if Mateta desired to leave.
The reported asking price stands at approximately £34.7 million (€40m), a figure that Italian giants Juventus have apparently been unable to match during their own pursuit of the striker. This potential move could therefore represent a significant hijack by Villa's recruitment team.
Financial Considerations and Squad Dynamics
While the £34.7 million valuation might be within Aston Villa's reach, the club's recent close encounters with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) create uncertainty about available financial flexibility. However, Crystal Palace's interest in Guessand could help facilitate a deal that works within these constraints.
Villa initially paid £23.5 million to secure Guessand from OGC Nice last summer, beating Palace to his signature at the time. Despite this investment, the Ivorian international has struggled to make an immediate impact under manager Unai Emery, failing to score in 13 Premier League appearances while netting just twice in Europa League competition.
Emery has publicly supported the 24-year-old, emphasizing his need for adaptation time and praising his work ethic. "He needs time, and he's competing very well," the Villa manager stated recently. "I'm so, so happy with him, and especially because we are trying to get in our structure his best position to help us."
Broader Context and Managerial Perspective
This transfer activity occurs against the backdrop of Villa's recent move involving Donyell Malen's departure to AS Roma, creating a need for additional attacking options. Despite currently sitting third in the Premier League table, Emery has tempered expectations regarding Champions League qualification, emphasizing that more work is required.
"We are still not contenders to be in the top five," a frustrated Emery remarked following Villa's weekend defeat to Everton. "We are still not being contenders. There are other teams with more potential than us." This statement appears to serve as a pointed message that further squad strengthening is necessary to achieve the club's ambitions.
The pursuit of Jean-Philippe Mateta may represent part of Villa's response to this challenge, offering a potentially more straightforward transfer solution than the complicated Abraham negotiations while addressing the need for increased competition in the forward positions.
