Jean-Philippe Mateta transfer latest as Nottingham Forest join Manchester United in striker race
Jean-Philippe Mateta is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing Premier League transfer stories ahead of January, with Nottingham Forest now pushing into a race that already features Manchester United. According to TeamTalk, the Crystal Palace striker is “increasingly likely to leave Selhurst Park in January”, a development that could trigger a significant battle for a proven top-flight goalscorer.
The 29-year-old has long appeared unsettled at Palace and the latest reporting points to a situation that has been building for some time. It is claimed Mateta “has made little secret of his desire to leave Palace over the past couple of years”, with frustration stemming from the club’s reluctance to offer improved terms. That dissatisfaction now seems to be feeding into a genuine winter market opportunity.
Manchester United interest in Mateta gathers relevance
Manchester United’s interest has already been established and the logic is straightforward. The report states United “remain firmly interested in securing a proven Premier League centre-forward”, a line that carries weight given the demands of competing across multiple fronts. With Benjamin Sesko dealing with a “persistent shin injury”, the need for depth through the middle has become more pronounced.
Mateta brings a profile that clubs know well. He has “scored double figures in each of the last three Premier League seasons”, and that level of consistency matters in a market where reliable No 9s are difficult to source. He knows the division, offers a physical focal point and, crucially, appears open to a move that keeps him in England.
That final detail could be decisive. TeamTalk reports that, despite interest from Europe and the Saudi Pro League, Mateta is “keen to remain in the Premier League”. For United, that keeps the door open on a deal that would add experience and presence without the adaptation risk attached to many alternatives.
Nottingham Forest emerge as serious competition
Forest’s entry into the picture gives this story added substance. TeamTalk can confirm they “are also looking at Mateta as they consider further investment in their forward line”. Even after spending heavily on Liam Delap, Forest have not closed the book on another forward addition.
The report adds that head coach Oliver Glasner believes “more firepower is required”, with Mateta viewed as “a potential solution”. His “Premier League experience, physical presence and consistent goalscoring record” are all highlighted as reasons for that interest.
Forest’s involvement does two things. First, it strengthens the market around Mateta. Second, it raises the prospect of a domestic auction for a player Palace may now have to consider cashing in on. The article notes that “January is the time that they will be able to get money for the striker”, which places added focus on the next window.
Crystal Palace exit path becomes clearer
What stands out in this case is how much tension has already sat beneath the surface. A proposed move to AC Milan collapsed earlier this year, while Mateta also tried “during the summer to have the final year of his contract cancelled”. TeamTalk says he “even took his case to FIFA”, underlining just how determined he has been to force progress.
Palace have maintained control of the contractual situation, yet the player’s camp are said to be “working hard to identify a suitable destination”. That points to a process already under way, rather than an idea that may or may not develop later.
Everton are also mentioned as a club monitoring events, though for now this feels like a contest in which Manchester United and Nottingham Forest are the names to watch most closely. If Mateta’s next step is indeed to stay in the Premier League, then this transfer battle may move quickly once January approaches.
Our View
This is the sort of move that makes plenty of sense if the numbers are right. Mateta may not be the glamorous answer, but there is a lot to like about a striker who knows the league, carries real physical presence and has delivered goals consistently. Manchester United have too often looked one injury or one dip in form away from a problem at centre-forward, so reading that the club “remain firmly interested in securing a proven Premier League centre-forward” feels entirely logical.
The big attraction here is certainty. There is less mystery with Mateta than with a younger import arriving from abroad. He can handle the tempo, the duels and the scrutiny. If Sesko’s injury record is already creating concern, then bringing in another forward with Premier League mileage looks like a practical call rather than a panic move.
There would still be questions. At 29, this is clearly not a long-term rebuild signing, and United have made enough short-term decisions over the years to make supporters wary. The fee and wages would have to reflect that. But if Palace are ready to sell and Mateta truly wants to stay in England, then there is a window here to do something efficient.
Forest entering the race is worth noting because it could inflate the price or accelerate the decision. United would need clarity quickly. If the club genuinely see Mateta as more than a stop-gap, this feels like one to move on decisively before the market gets noisy.
