Exclusive: Newcastle United Enter Race for Crystal Palace Striker Jean-Philippe Mateta

Newcastle United are plotting a swoop for want-away Crystal Palace star Jean-Philipe Mateta, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal. 

The 28-year-old hitman has told Palace bosses he wants to leave the club this month as he bids to take the next step in his career.

Frenchman Mateta has 18 months left on his deal at Selhurst Park, and SportsBoom exclusively revealed that talks over a contract extension had broken down between the player and the club. 

Mateta has always been open about his desire to play at the highest level possible and it looks like he will get his wish this month as a number of big clubs circle.

The striker is desperate to be in Les Blues’ World Cup squad this summer and knows he needs to impress on the biggest stages to do so.

Our sources understand the Magpies are one of a number of clubs who have expressed an interest in the player. 

Despite spending £120million in the summer, with deals which included bringing in Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa up front, Eddie Howe wants to bring in extra firepower this month as Newcastle bid to finish in the top four.

They will face stiff competition from Serie A big boys Juventus, who are understood to be leading the race, with Aston Villa also interested.

Crystal Palace have already earmarked Maximilian Beier as their ideal candidate to fill the void left by Mateta.
 

Bad to Worse 

It looks increasingly likely the squad at the start of next season at Palace will look totally different from the one that won last season’s FA Cup.

Palace have been pillaged of their stars and boss Oliver Glasner revealed earlier this month that he will also be leaving at the end of the campaign.

Eberechi Eze left for Arsenal in the summer, whilst captain Marc Guehi was sold to Manchester City last week.

Midfielder Adam Wharton is also expected to leave in a summer where Palace will need to rebuild their squad.