A Champions League club are targeting the signing of Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, according to a report.
Palace face an uncertain future as officials gather in Switzerland to try and save their bid to stay in the Europa League after they fell foul to multi-ownership rules on the back of winning the FA Cup.
Eagles officials, led by chairman Steve Parish, faced off with UEFA, Nottingham Forest and Lyon in a battle to overturn their bombshell demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Friday.
A panel of three senior lawyers will deliver its verdict before close of play on Monday, leaving those involved with a nervous wait over the weekend.
Elsewhere, though, Palace continue to face a fight to keep hold of their best players and staff, with the likes of club captain Marc Guehi and star forwards Eberechi Eze and Mateta linked with moves away.
And a team who will definitely be playing in Europe – in its premier competition – are looking to sign Mateta this summer, according to Football Italia.
Champions League club Atalanta are preparing a £34.6million bid for Jean-Philippe Mateta
Mateta was part of the Palace side that won the FA Cup and has been a key man for the Eagles
Oliver Glasner’s side are facing a battle to keep hold of their key men in the transfer window
The report suggests that Italian side Atalanta are preparing a £34.6million bid for the forward, who has scored 46 goals in 152 games for Palace, following the Community Shield.
Palace will take on league winners Liverpool at Wembley on Sunday afternoon in a bid to win the first trophy on offer of the new season as they try and focus on football matters for the day.
But, after the game, the futures of a number of players – as well as their European fate – will be resolved, including Mateta, who is reportedly Atalanta’s first choice for a new forward.
While Mateo Retegui to Al-Qadsiyah has been confirmed, Ademola Lookman’s future is also expected to be sorted soon, which would give the Italian side some spending power.
Lookman has been a key player for Atalanta since joining in 2022, with the forward reaching double figures for goals in the league in each of his three seasons at the club.
He confirmed in a statement this week that he has handed in a transfer request, alleging he has been the victim of ‘poor treatment’ by the club, while accusing them of ‘months of broken promises’.
Mateta, meanwhile, who has also attracted attention from Manchester United, Aston Villa and Marseille, has held positive discussions over staying at Selhurst Park, but his future is still uncertain.
