Manchester United target Jean-Philippe Mateta

Jean-Philippe Mateta will be the subject of interest from Manchester United this summer, according to German outlet SportBild.

Mateta came close to leaving Crystal Palace and joining AC Milan in January of last year, only to remain at Selhurst Park at the last minute after failing a medical to join the Italian giants.

Upon his return to south London, Mateta missed a fair few games while recovering from the knee injury that scuppered that deal from going through, before getting back into the Palace team, scoring key goals against Fiorentina, Newcastle and in the Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.

His fom was enough to see him added to the France squad for the 2026 World Cup, alongside Palace teammate Maxence Lacroix.

And while neither have played a minute thus far this tournament, their inclusion has put the spotlight back onto the pair.

It seems inevitable at this stage that Lacroix will join Chelsea this summer, with Palace and Chelsea supposedly in ‘advanced talks’ over that deal going through.

And now there is also interest in Mateta.

Crystal Palace have tabled a contract for Mateta to stay at Selhurst Park this summer, with the French forward having just one year remaining on his deal to keep him at Palace.

But, while the Eagles would be happy for Mateta to stay, given how well he played under Oliver Glasner, and with Pierre Sage expected to play the same 3-4-2-1 formation nest season.

But they are also not against him leaving, should he do so for the right price.

Palace spent significant money in bringing Jorgen Strand Larsen to the club from Wolves in January as a ready-made replacement for Mateta’s seemingly imminent departure.

But, with Mateta now staying at the club, Palace have three strikers, with Eddie Nketiah hoping to return to fitness and be involved next season.

And, according to SportBild, while Milan will not be returning to the table, especially after Glasner did not land the job at the San Siro, with former United boss Ruben Amorim appointed instead, there is interest from two of Europe’s biggest clubs.

They are Manchester United and Barcelona, with the two clubs both hoping to sign Mateta for different reasons.

United are hoping for someone to compete with Benjamin Sesko for minutes, with Joshua Zirkzee likely to be deemed surplus to requirements.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are after a natural centre forward who can replace Robert Lewandowski this summer.

Palace will not want everyone to leave this summer, but of all the players who could leave, Mateta is one of the least important to their future, it would appear.