Jean-Philippe Mateta is now on the radar of Manchester United as they look to add a new striker this summer.
Mateta Emerges as a Striker Option for United
Manchester Utd’s summer window has mostly focused on building creativity behind the striker. The club has already spent huge on Matheus Cunha and are chasing another deal for Bryan Mbeumo.
But, even with those names, the main issue still is scoring goals. Rasmus Hojlund, though talented, managed just four Premier League goals last season. He has no solid backup to take some of the weight off his shoulders.
That’s where Jean-Philippe Mateta comes in. The Crystal Palace player has quietly become one of the league’s most consistent performers. He bagged 30 goals over the last two seasons. He even has a habit of scoring against the Red Devils. He has got three goals in his last three games against them. He may not be the flashiest name on the market, but he’s reliable. He is in form, and fully adapted to the PL pace.
Crystal Palace Set Reasonable Price for In-Form Forward
Now, as per French outlet L’Équipe, Manchester Utd have understood the price it would take to bring Mateta to Old Trafford. The price is just over €30m or around £26m. In today’s market, that looks like a steal.
Mateta isn’t being eyed as a direct replacement for Hojlund but rather as a much-needed second option. The Italian outfit AC Milan had been tracking him. But, they have reportedly cooled their interest due to the big price tag. Rivals Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea are all spending big on new strikers this summer.
So, United could quietly pull off one of the smartest moves. They can sign a player who is already PL-proven, match-fit, and in his prime. For a club that needs goals now, Mateta might just be the answer.
As featured on ManUNews.com
