As Jean-Philippe Mateta’s future continues to come into question, Crystal Palace could now reportedly receive the opportunity to sign a struggling striker in a swap deal for the Frenchman.
Crystal Palace could be offered shock swap deal
The interest in Mateta should come as no surprise. The forward has found a new level under Oliver Glasner and has just over a year left on his current contract. As negotiations continue to rumble on over a new deal, the likes of Manchester United and Aston Villa have both been linked with moves to sign the Frenchman in what would deal those at Selhurst Park an instant blow.
For Mateta, meanwhile, he’s at a crucial point in his career. At 27 years old and at the peak of his powers, he may not get the opportunity to complete a mega move again in his career and must simply get his next decision right.
That said, Mateta’s decision could yet provide the Eagles with an unexpected opportunity. According to Football Transfers, Manchester United could now offer Rasmus Hojlund in a swap deal to sign Mateta this summer in what would see their transfer flop finally bring an end to his Old Trafford nightmare.
Would cost £0: Crystal Palace now join race to sign "imperious" PL defender
The Eagles are now interested in signing a Premier League centre-back, who is set to be available on a free transfer.
ByDominic LundApr 4, 2025
Left benefitting is potentially Crystal Palace. Whether they accept the chance to sign the Dane with talks over Mateta already reportedly open with Manchester United remains to be seen, but it would at least end their search for a replacement swiftly.
Crystal Palace perfect fit for struggling Hojlund
Whilst he has far from lived up to his reported £72m price tag, there’s been enough evidence over the years to suggest that the blame may not fully be on Hojlund at Old Trafford. He’s not the first fresh arrival to face new struggles at United and he certainly won’t be the last.
Now, like others before him, he needs to move on and become the player that many believed he would become for the Red Devils. And that’s where Palace could come in.
As relayed by Football Transfers, Palace have a ‘club fit’ of 76/100 with Hojlund – an algorithm which measures potential development, a side’s system and the game time that certain players will receive. All signs suggest that the Dane would finally thrive away from Manchester United and under Glasner.
At just 22 years old, there’s ever chance that Hojlund could still realise his potential like many have by leaving Old Trafford. It wasn’t so long ago that he even found himself at the centre of praise from around the media, with Times reporter Charlotte Duncker among those with plenty of positives to say.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast, Duncker described Hojlund’s work off the ball as “underrated” last season in something that he now needs to bring back to his game if he completes a move to Crystal Palace.