Mainz are unwilling to stand in Jean-Phillipe Mateta’s way as the Crystal Palace target nears a dream move to the Premier League, the Bundesliga club’s sporting director Martin Schmidt has told FR.
Considering Mainz are mired in a relegation dogfight, sitting seven points adrift of safety after a dismal start to 2020/21, you’d be forgiven for thinking they would do everything to keep their star striker at the Opel Arena.
But, with Mateta on his way to Selhurst Park, the cynics will suggest the O5ers can start preparing for life in the second tier.
The Daily Mail reports Mateta is heading to England for a medical. If he passes, the 6ft 4in centre-forward will join on an initial 18-month loan deal that could eventually set Crystal Palace back about £16 million.
“We wanted to make this wish possible for him and not deny him the chance,” said former Mainz coach turned sporting director Schmidt.
“On the other hand, we now also have something that we can invest.”
A keen hiker and extreme sports enthusiast, Schmidt is used to having a mountain to climb. And his Mainz team will need a miracle now if they are to pull off a great escape from relegation after a decade in the Bundesliga.
Mateta has scored seven league goals in 2020/21 – Mainz’s next highest scorer, Robin Quaison, has just two.
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