Boost for Man Utd as club are willing to sell 17-goal PL striker for £26m-plus - opinion

Manchester United have been handed a boost in signing Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta following an update from L’Equipe.

The Red Devils were keen on signing Liam Delap earlier this summer, but the Englishman chose to join Chelsea from Ipswich Town instead.

United are likely to pursue an alternative striker. With the transfer budget being limited, Mateta could emerge as a genuine target for the club.

The Red Devils have already been linked with the former Mainz striker, and L’Equipe report that he could be prised away for a fee in excess of £26 million.

AC Milan don’t have the financial capacity to afford him, and this could open the door for Ruben Amorim’s side to swoop for his signature.

Mateta would be a quality acquisition for United

The Frenchman has had a tremendous transformation in his career since Oliver Glasner took charge as Crystal Palace’s manager in February last year.

Mateta has netted 19 and 17 goals respectively during the previous two seasons for the FA Cup holders. 30 of those have been in the Premier League.

From that tally (30), 27 have come under the tutelage of Glasner. Only Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak have scored more in this period.

Mateta has become one of the most consistent strikers in the English top flight, and we believe he would be a good upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.

The 28-year-old can hold up play effectively, and he is a menace for defenders with his aerial presence too. Most importantly, he has a keen eye for goal.

Mateta can comfortably score with his right or left foot. He has a shot-to-goal conversion rate of 20 percent which is quite impressive for any marksman.

The Olympic silver medalist has entered the last two years of his contract.

L’Equipe claim that Palace are eyeing more than £26m for his services, but we won’t be surprised if the London outfit hold out for around £30-35m with add-ons.

Still, Mateta would be a top-quality signing for United. He could seamlessly adapt, having been playing in a 3-4-2-1 formation for the Eagles under Glasner.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .