Milan prepares for a new signing: Mateta on the way?
Good January 30th to all of you! We are in the final days of the market and a market news has shaken certainties: Milan has found an agreement with Crystal Palace for Mateta, the 28-year-old French striker who has been consistently linked to the Rossoneri in recent weeks.
Last night, an economic agreement was defined with the English club for a fee of 30 million euros. An unexpected turn of events, considering that Milan seemed focused on finding a central defender, possibly on loan, while now there is talk of a significant investment in a striker. Mateta has proven his worth in the Premier League, playing 23 matches and scoring 8 goals, with 5 appearances in the Conference League where he provided 2 assists. His contract with Crystal Palace runs until 2027, which represents a long-term investment.
Evaluations on the transfer
There are several factors to consider regarding the completion of the operation. The acquisition of Mateta may depend on some planned departures by Milan. Currently, the team already has star strikers like Nkunku, Füllkrug, Pulisic, Leão, and Santiago Gimenez (who will return at the end of March), limiting the possibility of saturated rosters.
Last week, there was talk of Fenerbahçe showing interest in Nkunku. Despite repeated proposals, the French player has always rejected the Turkish destination. If Milan had decided to sell Kunku fifteen days ago for around 30-35 million, we would likely have witnessed the swift conclusion of Mateta’s purchase.
The player’s preference and competitors
An important factor to consider is that Mateta seems to prefer Milan despite an equally enticing offer of 40 million euros from Nottingham Forest. This makes Milan the preferred club for the player, marking an important step towards a possible final agreement.
Rumors have emerged that Crystal Palace may have already found a replacement for Mateta, which could facilitate the transfer. However, Nkunku’s departure remains a crucial condition. If the player continues to refuse, the deal may be postponed until June.
Conclusions
Currently, the operation for Mateta is heating up as the market deadline approaches. It is certainly a move that surprises and raises discussions, shifting attention from searching for a defender to the potential arrival of a striker.
These are days of great anticipation and hope in the hearts of Rossoneri fans.
