His name was one of the standout talking points of our winter transfer market. For a long stretch, Jean-Philippe Mateta was pursued, practically secured, virtually signed, only to ultimately be courted and then abandoned by both AC Milan and Juventus.
Concerns about his physical condition, which emerged during medical examinations with the Rossoneri, led to the collapse of the deal with Crystal Palace and discouraged the Bianconeri from making a renewed offer. However, today (helped by a surprise visit from his agent to Milan) the idea is gaining relevance again ahead of the summer.
Winter issues:
Milan had effectively reached an agreement to purchase Mateta’s registration rights from Crystal Palace for around €30 million. However, there remained a significant concern regarding his physical condition, which the club investigated thoroughly through two medical examinations conducted in London.
The results were not positive. The knee problem suffered by Mateta turned out to be more serious than initially expected, convincing Milan to abandon the deal and pushing Juventus to offer only a loan rather than a permanent transfer.
No surgery:
At one point, there was even talk of possible surgery and a season-ending injury. However, the French centre-forward, born in 1997, chose not to go down that route. Instead, he paused his activity and underwent conservative treatment, which produced excellent results.
On 12 March, he officially returned to action, and since then he has recorded 9 appearances, with 4 goals and 1 assist, although not all as a starter.
The agent at San Siro:
It was his agent, Paul Latouche, who reignited transfer rumours around Mateta. Through his Instagram account, he posted a story showing himself in Milan, at San Siro, and not for just any occasion.
The French player’s agent was present at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza to watch the high-profile clash (ending 0–0 without goals (ironically, the speciality of his client) between Milan and Juventus. His presence in the stands and VIP section alongside club executives inevitably reignited transfer speculation.
Mateta still represents a market opportunity and likely at a much lower fee than the one agreed between Milan and Crystal Palace in January. The French striker’s contract runs until 30 June 2027, meaning he will officially enter the final year of his deal with the English club this summer.
The idea of a change of scenery has never disappeared, nor has Palace’s intention to cash in on his departure, especially during a summer expected to bring significant changes at Selhurst Park.
