According to Le Progrès, Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to leave Crystal Palace soon, with a move to Saint-Etienne close to completion.
What’s the story?
Well, it seems as if Crystal Palace are about to lose the £53,365-a-week man.
Le Progrès believe Mateta will join Saint-Etienne on loan in the coming hours, following three-way talks between Mainz, Crystal Palace and the French side.
The 24-year-old is on loan at Selhurst Park from Mainz until June, so Saint-Etienne will effectively be taking over the terms of that arrangement.
Le Progrès add that Saint-Etienne are able to cover Mateta’s wages, and there are no more obstacles in the way of his return to France.
The Crystal Palace No.14 will team up with Bakary Sako at Saint-Etienne, a man who enjoyed two stints at Selhurst Park.
So far this season, Mateta has scored one goal in five Premier League appearances.
Crystal Palace could replace Jean-Philippe Mateta with Eddie Nketiah
According to The Sun, Crystal Palace hope to sign Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah this month, before he becomes a free agent in June.
The 22-year-old wants to leave the Emirates Stadium in search of regular first-team football, with Brighton also keen on his services.
The Evening Standard believe another swoop for Nketiah from the south Londoners cannot be ruled out, after Patrick Vieira tried to sign him in the summer.
So far this season, the England Under-21 international has impressively scored five goals in seven games, all of which have come in the Carabao Cup.
Keep an eye on this saga – it wouldn’t surprise us if Crystal Palace swap Mateta with Nketiah this month.
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