According to Foot Mercato, Crystal Palace will sign Jean-Philippe Mateta for €10m (£8m) after negotiating a discount with Mainz 05.
What’s the story?
Well, it has been quite the turnaround for Mateta at Crystal Palace.
At the start of January, Le Progrès claimed that the Frenchman was set to leave Selhurst Park and join Saint-Etienne.
At the time, Mateta had barely played for the Eagles this season, and didn’t seem to be wanted by Patrick Vieira.
Fast forward to now, and the 24-year-old has really stepped up in SE25.
After scoring against Norwich and Millwall, Mateta earned a start in the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool last week, with Christian Benteke left on the bench.
Foot Mercato explain how Crystal Palace and Mainz 05 initially had a €15m (£12m) agreement if Mateta started a certain amount of games.
However, the Eagles have managed to lower that sum to €10m (£8m), and will now sign the towering striker on a permanent basis.
Jean-Philippe Mateta decision a wise one from Crystal Palace
In our view, this is a win-win for the south Londoners.
Mateta has shown plenty of grit and determination to turn his situation around, which he deserves huge credit for.
A character like that is always welcome at Selhurst Park, and for just £8m, this one can be categorised as a no-brainer for Vieira.
Mateta is still young, so even if he doesn’t succeed at Crystal Palace, the Eagles should at least be able to make their money back.
Effectively, Vieira’s side have been allowed to have a one-year free trial to see what the Frenchman is like, and are now signing him for a €5m (£4m) discount.
In our view, that is fine business from Dougie Freedman.
If Mateta goes on to become an important player for Crystal Palace now, it would be quite the story.
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