Aston Villa interested in Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, Palace eye Villa’s Guessand
Aston Villa have expressed an interest in Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, with Palace weighing up a move in the opposite direction for Evann Guessand, who the south London club were pursuing last summer.
Villa’s interest in Mateta comes as head coach Unai Emery aims to strengthen his side’s front line, with the French forward among the options being considered – also including Tammy Abraham.
There has been no breakthrough in talks between Villa and Besiktas over the English striker, however, despite officials from the midlands club flying to Turkey ahead of the Istanbul derby against Fenerbahce last month in an attempt to close a deal.
Last week, Juventus enquired about a move for Mateta, whose Palace terms run until June 2027 after the club triggered a one-year extension option in his contract in December 2024.
However, The Athletic reported in the Transfer DealSheet on January 20 that the Italian club were not prepared to pay the €40milllion (£34.7m, $46.6m) Palace are believed to want for the striker and had moved on from their pursuit of Mateta. Juventus considered the asking price to be unrealistic, with Mateta turning 29 this June and his contract expiring the following year, and also harboured concerns over a potentially high agent fee.
The 28-year-old has started all 22 of Palace’s Premier League games this season, scoring eight goals. He has scored a further two goals in across 10 appearances in cups.
Evann Guessand has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League for Aston Villa this season (Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)
Guessand has struggled to make an impact in the top flight since joining Villa from Nantes in the summer, and is yet to score in 13 appearances this season. The 24-year-old has, however, scored twice in six Europa League appearances.
Last season, Mateta registered 17 goals in 47 matches as Palace won the FA Cup. In the 2023-24, he scored 19 times in 39 appearances.
The France international has scored 56 goals in 185 games for Palace, having previously played for Mainz, Le Harve and Lyon.
Palace have already seen one key player depart this transfer window, with captain Marc Guehi joining Manchester City for a fee of around £20million ($26.8m). On the same day the news broke of Guehi’s impending departure to City, Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed he will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
