Jean-Philippe Mateta, the 28-year-old Crystal Palace forward, has expressed frustration over his stalled £30 million move to AC Milan through a cryptic social media post. The French striker has agreed personal terms with the Italian club and awaits approval to travel to Italy, but Palace insists on securing a replacement before allowing his departure.
Transfer Negotiations Hit Roadblock
Reports indicate that Palace has entered discussions with Wolves to sign Norwegian striker Jorgen Strand Larsen as a potential replacement for Mateta. The club aims to finalize any deal before the transfer window closes at 7 p.m. on Monday. Despite an apparent agreement in principle with Milan, Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed that Mateta will not feature in the squad for Sunday’s match against Nottingham Forest.
Mateta signaled his intent to leave Selhurst Park last week, drawn by the opportunity to play Champions League football with Milan. However, the ongoing uncertainty has led to visible signs of impatience from the player.
Social Media Signals Frustration
On Saturday evening, Mateta shared an Instagram story featuring only an angry-face emoji, highlighting his growing discontent. Notably, he no longer follows Crystal Palace on the platform, and his bio states: “Ils comprendront un jour,” which translates to “They will understand one day.”
This development comes amid a turbulent period for Palace. The club recently sold captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City in a deal valued at up to £30 million. Glasner previously criticized the club’s leadership in a press conference, prompting peace talks that secured his position until the end of the season. He has also announced plans to depart when his current contract expires in June.
Glasner’s Explanation on Mateta’s Absence
Speaking on Friday, Glasner addressed Mateta’s exclusion from the traveling squad, stating: “It’s nothing to do with the transfers; he is just not in the right place and doesn’t feel in the right place to play. We have to protect the team and protect him; he will not travel with us to Nottingham.”
Glasner further elaborated: “Again, there is so much noise, so much speculation, so many things going on. We need every single player at their best, and he isn’t at his best right now with all the noise that happens. It can be football noise, but if someone has private issues where they can’t focus on football, then it makes no sense to play. He can’t help the team and perform at his top level. We decided it is better not to play him. We have to prepare if something happens.”
