Crystal Palace could find themselves without much power if Jean-Philippe Mateta decides to push for a move to a Champions League team, football finance expert Dr. Dan Plumley has revealed exclusively to Football Insider. This situation may lead to another star player departing from the Palace squad.
Mateta is aspiring to play in the Champions League, and it appears that convincing the Frenchman to remain at Selhurst Park may be a challenge.
Contract negotiations between Mateta and Crystal Palace have hit a roadblock, with the 28-year-old’s contract set to expire in 2027.
Plumley mentioned that Crystal Palace would struggle to match the wages offered by Champions League clubs, stating, “If that player is determined to play in the Champions League, it’s unlikely he’ll find that opportunity at Crystal Palace right now.”
He added, “If he has certain demands that Palace cannot meet, or if he attracts interest from Champions League teams who can offer him higher wages, that’s the reality of where Crystal Palace currently stand. It’s a tough situation without their top players.”
Crystal Palace is currently facing potential departures as manager Oliver Glasner and defender Marc Guehi both have contracts expiring at the end of the season. Midfielder Daichi Kamada is also in discussions regarding a new contract to prevent a free transfer departure.
Should Glasner extend his contract with Crystal Palace, he will be eager to retain the core players at the club, including Mateta. However, the financial disparities between Crystal Palace and Champions League clubs may pose a significant challenge in retaining top talent.
