St Etienne’s pursuit of Jean-Philippe Mateta is at a ‘standstill’ with the striker facing an uncertain future at Premier League outfit Crystal Palace, Les Verts coach Pascal Dupraz tells Foot Sur 7.
Now, there are a couple of reasons why Mateta’s return to France may be in doubt with a fortnight remaining in the January transfer window.
The Mainz loanee, who started his professional career at St Etienne’s Rhone rivals Lyon, is in the midst of an unexpected renaissance at Selhurst Park.
Handed an opportunity with Palace’s squad stretched to it’s limits over the festive period, Mateta followed up a fine finish in the 3-0 thrashing of Norwich City with another goal in the FA Cup victory over Millwall last week.
Furthermore, Mateta’s £40,000-a-week pay packet appears to be a little rich for St Etienne’s blood.
FootMercato claim that Les Verts, bottom of the Ligue 1 table and five points from safety, cannot afford his eye-watering wages.
That has not stopped St Etienne from trying however.
Flash forward to mid-January, howver, and the deal is now in doubt.
Will Jean-Philippe Mateta stay at Crystal Palace?
“We are at a standstill,” says Dupraz. “But the club’s forces are moving to bring in a decent recruitment by the end of January. For the moment, nothing is convincing.
“We have defined criteria and we must stick to it.”
Crystal Palace have the option to turn Mateta’s loan into a permanent deal to the tune of £14 million.
One suspects that the rangy 24-year-old will need more than a couple of goals against Norwich and Millwall if he wants to earn a long-term deal under Patrick Vieira.
Especially with Palace pushing ahead for a deal to bring in Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal.
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