Manchester United will not target Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta according to the club’s former chief scout, Mick Brown.
The Red Devils are eager to make a signing in the number nine position as both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have failed to live up to expectations this season.
They have been frequently linked to Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres but news broke yesterday that claimed a deal for the 26 year old would be unlikely due to the costs involved.
United reportedly also have the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Liam Delap and Bryan Mbeumo on their list of targets for the summer.
It was claimed at the start of this month that United were also keeping tabs on Mateta and he put them to the sword at Old Trafford recently, as he scored a brace as Crystal Palace ran out 2-0 winners.
It has also been relayed here that the 27 year old would cost at least £50 million to sign this summer.
According to Football Insider however, United are unlikely to seriously pursue a deal for the Frenchman.
The former scout Brown stated that, “I think he’s done extremely well for Crystal Palace. And I think Crystal Palace know that, so it’s very important for them to get him tied down.”
He claimed that it is one thing being a star at Selhurst Park but an entirely different kettle of fish being one at Old Trafford.
“When you’re looking at their list of targets, you’ve got Harry Kane, you’ve got [Viktor] Gyokeres, and then there’s Mateta and as good as he’s been, there’s a bit of a gap there.”
Brown went on to state that he has been highly impressed by the job the former Mainz 05 striker has done in England but he would be surprised if Palace let him leave.
He finally asserted once again that, “I don’t think he’s one of the names Man United are going to be looking at.”
If the logic behind the club cooling their interest in Gyokeres is that they don’t want to commit such a financial outlay on a 26 year old, it stands to reason that they would also be unwilling to sign a much less prolific striker for similar money and who is actually slightly older than the Swede.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
