Jean-Philippe Mateta is involved in a contractual dispute with Crystal Palace over the last year of his deal. However, his effort to have the agreement declared invalid was unsuccessful before an independent Premier League tribunal and Fifa. The French striker agreed to a four-and-a-half-year contract after completing a permanent transfer from Mainz in January 2022, following an initial loan spell. The deal included an option for an additional 12 months, which Palace exercised in 2024, extending his stay until the end of this season.
The 29-year-old and his representatives are understood to have challenged the legitimacy of that extension, taking the matter to an independent tribunal under league rules last season. Although the official decision has not been made public, Palace maintain that Mateta remains under a valid contract, and he featured in Saturday’s loss at Everton. Fifa also dismissed his case after determining that it had no authority to rule on the disagreement. Mateta’s representative has been contacted for a response.
Mateta has been seeking a departure from Selhurst Park for some time and has reportedly attracted attention from Aston Villa. Villa are assessing whether to allow Ollie Watkins to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. In January, Mateta was unable to complete a move to Milan after a knee issue caused him to fail his medical, despite the clubs agreeing a fee of approximately £30m. He then spent two months out before returning to help Palace secure the Conference League title. Some supporters initially greeted his comeback with boos, and he may face another cold reception when Manchester City travel to south London on Friday evening for Palace’s first home fixture of the new season.
Elsewhere, Pierre Sage has maintained that Ismaïla Sarr will stay at Palace despite significant interest from Galatasaray. The Senegal international missed the 2-0 defeat at Everton because of what Sage called groin discomfort. Palace’s new manager also rejected suggestions that the 28-year-old refused to make the trip to Merseyside because he wanted to leave the club.
“Before training, the doctor, the player and I agreed that he should receive treatment and complete an individual session. He is expected to rejoin the group on Monday,” Sage said. “At this stage, we have no intention of letting him go. He still has three years remaining on his contract and will be back with the squad on Monday.”
Palace are also preparing for further approaches this week for Adam Wharton and Daniel Muñoz. Muñoz has two years left on his current agreement and has been associated with potential moves to Everton, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham. The club have already arranged a loan deal for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, but they could need another centre-back before the transfer window closes if concerns about Chadi Riad’s knee injury are confirmed.
The Morocco international had only recently returned after being sidelined for more than a year with an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered during his second Palace appearance following his arrival in 2024. He was taken off on a stretcher after trying to stop a cross in the second half against Everton. “I hope the injury is not as serious as we fear,” Sage said. “We are waiting for the results of the medical examinations.”
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