January transfer plans for Aston Villa include striker from Premier League rivals: report
Aston Villa are preparing to join the battle to sign a proven Premier League striker in the January transfer window, according to reports.
Villa are already looking ahead and planning for January with an apparent interest in a surprising move for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The 28-year-old has been in the spotlight in the past two seasons, thanks in no small part to the influence of Eagles manager Oliver Glasner. Mateta is on Villa’s radar and undoubtedly many others, with reports indicating that interested parties will face competition from Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Leeds United.
Palace won’t be minded to let Mateta leave either mid-season or without making an absolute packet by selling him. The Eagles are expected to demand a fee in the region of £40 million for the striker, who will have a year and a half left on his contract at Selhurst Park when the transfer window opens.
Glasner’s side set out their approach to selling players in the summer window. Eberechi Eze was sold for big money like Michael Olise before him, but Marc Guehi was unable to leave for Liverpool when no replacement was secured and Palace’s asking price wasn’t met.
That could work for or against a move for Mateta if Villa, Newcastle and Spurs are indeed eager. The methodology suggests Palace wouldn’t be bullied into a sale, but it’s also true that not selling Guehi with his contract coming to an end has left a financial shortfall.
Villa too would need to be mindful of the numbers, with Premier League and UEFA regulations needing to be complied with on an ongoing basis.
Oliver Glasner’s lethal number 9
Fellow striker Odsonne Édouard proved scant competition for Mateta after Glasner arrived in February 2024. Mateta scored in dribbles rather than deluges and it was only after Glasner came in to supercharge the Eagles that the French striker found his current formidable form.
Palace won the FA Cup and have reliably picked up results while playing incisive and entertaining football. Glasner instituted that after replacing Roy Hodgson and Mateta has been the attacking spearhead.
Mateta’s form exploded. He scored 13 goals in the last 13 matches of the 2023/24 season, including twice against both Newcastle and West Ham United, and three times in a 5-0 demolition of a beach-ready Villa on the last day of the campaign. Palace finished tenth that year and have made fine progress subsequently.
In the 2024/25 season, Mateta scored 17 goals and helped Palace to win the FA Cup for the first time, taking them into Europe and what turned out to be a Conference League spot. The former Le Havre and Lyon man also played his part as Palace defeated Premier League champions Liverpool in August’s Community Shield at Wembley.
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