Man Utd striker search takes TWIST as contract talks confirmed

Manchester United are on the hunt for a striker to replace Rasmus Hojlund this summer, with Ruben Amorim’s side exploring numerous avenues.

Surprisingly, a deal for Victor Osimhen of Napoli was overlooked because he was seen as too expensive and a player who did not fit the profile that Amorim wants at Old Trafford.

Other targets have proven out of reach, one possibility that had looked promising was Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Sky Sports chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol has reported that Mateta is, however, is contract talks with his current club.

He states: “Jean-Philippe Mateta is in talks about extending his Crystal Palace contract, but clubs such as Manchester United and Juventus are also interested in signing him this summer.

“He has two years left on his Palace contract and, at 27, he would be expected to be valued at about £35m.

“Palace want Mateta to stay and he is not for sale.”

Mateta is an excellent fit for Man Utd

Mateta is a highly attractive possibility for Man Utd, particularly with Palace facing a period of uncertainty as UEFA consider their application to play in the Europa League next season. The FA Cup winners may be knocked back due to the joint-ownership that Eagle Football has with Lyon.

The BBC reports that a decision is expected at the end of the month and it appears to Palace are trying to pre-empt this by tying one of their most important players down.

Mateta would be a strong fit for Man Utd, with FootballTransfers having already demonstrated how neatly he might fit into Ruben Amorim’s system at Old Trafford.

Should he commit his future to Crystal Palace, it would be a move that would surely only push Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, a former protégé of Amorim, towards the Red Devils.