Manchester United’s striker hunt is expected to ramp up after INEOS failed to land Liam Delap from Ipswich Town despite months of work being put in.
Chelsea pipped them at the finishing line, and INEOS are likely to turn to their B list of targets given the likes of Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres are likely to prove too costly while the lack of Champions League football will also be a drawback.
The Peoples Person relayed the Red Devils’ interest in Randal Kolo Muani, who spent the last six months on loan at Juventus after a difficult spell with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Frenchman could be targeted should the Parisian side open up to another loan exit, while Givemesport have suggested that the co-owners would much prefer a Premier League-proven striker.
Jean-Philippe Mateta on United’s radar
And that is where Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace comes in. The 27-year-old was a shining light for the Eagles, netting 17 times while registering four assists as Palace clinched the FA Cup.
The Frenchman’s deal at Selhurst Park is valid until 2026 and this might be the last window for the London side to earn a decent fee from his sale, with Palace valuing their star striker at £40 million.
INEOS will likely try and reduce the fee given he has only one year left on his deal but the “unbelievable” striker certainly has the skill-set to shine at Old Trafford.
He bossed Ruben Amorim’s defence, the last time the two sides met, while his hold-up play and link-up quality have earned him rave reviews, not to mention his eye for goal, all of which makes him a great fit for the head coach.
£40 million could get United Jean-Philippe Mateta
“GMS sources have been told that Manchester United’s preference would still be to land a marksman who already boasts Premier League experience, leading to Mateta coming back into their thinking after he played a key role in current employers Crystal Palace winning the FA Cup earlier this month.
“The 27-year-old made himself one of the first names on the Eagles’ team sheet under boss Oliver Glasner, and the Red Devils have refused to rule out the possibility of raiding their domestic counterparts.
“Manchester United are aware that Mateta will cost more than it would have taken to secure Delap’s services as Crystal Palace value him at £40 million, GMS sources understand, but they are poised to continue assessing whether he would be the perfect option to leapfrog Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in the pecking order.”
Jean-Philippe Mateta is open to the idea of moving to a bigger club and has no qualms of wanting Champions League football, which will suit the 20-time English league champions.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
