Man Utd receive update as CONTROVERSIAL transfer edges closer

Cameron Smith

• 10 Feb 2025 13:00 GMT
• 4 min read

Crystal Palace majority shareholder John Textor reportedly wants to sell Jean-Philippe Mateta back to Olympique Lyonnais in a highly controversial move.

Mateta, 27, has been linked with a Selhurst Park exit amid his impressive recent form and Manchester United are among the clubs interested in signing him this summer.

However, the Frenchman could be set to secure a Ligue 1 return as Textor is eager to sell him to Lyon - his other club.

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The American billionaire owns shares in both Palace and Lyon, and he wants Mateta to re-join the French giants this summer, according to The Sun.

Oliver Glasner’s side will reportedly demand a fee in excess of €60 million (£50m) for Mateta, with Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Man Utd, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United also interested in finalising a deal, as per TBR Football.

Lyon currently have Alexandre Lacazette, Georges Mikautadze and youngster Enzo Molebe as centre forward options, but Textor wants to add Mateta to their ranks during the 2025 summer transfer window.

The 27-year-old has scored 10 goals in 24 Premier League appearances so far this season, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) currently stands at €22.3m.

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Man Utd told to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta

Although Man Utd could miss out on Mateta to Lyon, Paul Merson has urged the Red Devils to sign him this summer.

“Man United should go and get the lad who played yesterday - Mateta at Palace. That’s what they need,” the Arsenal legend told Sky Sports.

“They need a big, strong lad up front, who’s playing at the top of his game. He leads the line, he’s a handful, he’s scoring goals now. He runs, he works his socks off as hard as any other player you know.

“But they won’t because he plays for Palace and everyone would go: ‘What are you buying him for?’

“But he’s 100 times better than anyone Man Utd have in the front line. Not Amad [Diallo], he’s a young kid - but he’s much better than [Rasmus] Hojlund and [Joshua] Zirkzee at the moment and Man Utd are playing [Kobbie] Mainoo up front.”