Juve go all-in for Mateta as Palace brace for a bumpy window

Juventus are turning the charm up to eleven for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, and by the sounds of it, the Old Lady won’t go away quietly. Fabrizio Romano reports that talks over personal terms are essentially in place, but the move hinges on Palace giving it the nod and the fine print of any exit being acceptable. In short: Juve want him, the player’s on board, now it’s down to Palace and the terms on the table.

Juve’s play: loan now, buy later

The proposal from Turin is a classic hedge — a loan with an obligation to buy at season’s end. It’s tidy business if you can pull it off, and Juventus clearly fancy Mateta to lead their line in the months ahead. But Palace haven’t waved it through, and until they do, this one stays in the ‘nearly but not yet’ pile.

They’ll have competition, too. Premier League clubs are keeping tabs, and Mateta is open to a move in this window — five years on from his arrival from Mainz. If a domestic bidder blinks first, the Italians could have a real fight on their hands.

Selhurst shockwaves

It’s hardly the ideal week for Palace to lose their No 9. The club agreed a deal to sell captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City and Oliver Glasner has confirmed he’ll depart at the end of the season. Strip out your skipper and your gaffer, then lose your top scorer? That’s a proper headache.

And make no mistake, Mateta has been the goals man at Selhurst. He’s been Palace’s top scorer across the last three Premier League campaigns and, since the start of 2023/24, he’s rattled in 38 goals. The current patch is choppier — 10 in 32 this season and just one in his last nine league outings — but strikers live in streaks. Juve clearly back the purple patch to return in black and white.

Replacement radar already spinning

Palace won’t let themselves get caught short. If Mateta goes, a new centre-forward is expected to come in before the window shuts. One name firmly on the list is Wolves frontman Jorgen Strand Larsen, with interest dating back to December. Wolves’ position is precarious — rock bottom after 21 games — and the Norway international, who hit 14 league goals last season, has just one in 19 this term. It’s a punt, but a calculated one if the price is right.

Teen talent on the move?

Meanwhile, the Eagles are pressing ahead for Angers striker Sidiki Cherif. An initial offer has gone in and personal terms with the 19-year-old are understood to be agreed. That’s smart squad planning: upside for tomorrow while the first team gets reshaped today.

So where does that leave us? Juventus are pushing, Mateta’s keen, and Palace are weighing risk against reward in a window that’s suddenly become pivotal. If you’re sizing up the market like a pro, take a glance at the best betting sites and you’ll see why this saga could swing either way before deadline day. For now, advantage Juventus — but Selhurst still calls the shots.