18 G/A this season – Man United have already opened talks over smart £40m transfer

According to the print edition of L’Equipe, as reported and translated by Sport Bible, Manchester United have opened talks with Crystal Palace over a potential move for striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The 27-year-old forward is reportedly valued at around £40 million by Palace, who are understandably keen to retain him after already losing key players like Michael Olise to Bayern Munich last summer.

Mateta has proven himself in the Premier League with his physicality, ability to hold up the ball, and clinical finishing. His solid performances for Palace make him an appealing option for Manchester United, especially as the Red Devils look to strengthen their attacking options under manager Ruben Amorim. Mateta’s experience in the English top flight is a significant advantage over some of the younger talents that have recently joined United, like Leny Yoro and Patrick Dorgu, who are still finding their feet at the club.

Amorim, while known for his work with emerging young players, may find Mateta an ideal addition to provide depth and reliability in attack. The forward’s experience at the top level could offer a much-needed option for United, especially when considering that some of their recent signings like Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee have struggled to adapt to the Premier League after moves from Italy. Mateta, on the other hand, has already shown his capability in English football, making him a safer bet for the United manager as they continue to pursue top talent.

With United’s ongoing pursuit of reinforcements, especially in the forward department, a move for Mateta could make perfect sense. Not only would he offer more experience at the peak of his career, but his physicality and goalscoring instinct could be exactly what United need to improve their attacking depth. If Palace is willing to part with the striker for around £40 million, it could be an opportunity too good to pass up for United, as they aim to build a squad capable of challenging for domestic and European honors in the near future.