Jean-Philippe Mateta ‘to join’ AC Milan as club listen to Nkunku offers | OneFootball

Jean-Philippe Mateta is close to leaving Crystal Palace for AC Milan. According to L'Équipe, the 28-year-old would join fellow France internationals Mike Maignan, Youssouf Fofana, Adrien Rabiot and Christopher Nkunku.

The moves are linked on the pitch. Nkunku has five goals in 19 Milan appearances, while Mateta has 10 in 34 for Palace this season.

Milan are ready to listen to offers for Nkunku, signed from Chelsea for €37 million plus five in bonuses. Fenerbahçe are interested under Domenico Tedesco, and AS Rome are keen under Gian Piero Gasperini, though they must respect a 2022 UEFA settlement after spending €22 million on Robinio Vaz.

Mateta’s arrival is not dependent on any sale. The club’s debts were renegotiated on Friday on more favourable terms, reflecting recent austerity.

Massimiliano Allegri keeps stressing Champions League qualification as the objective, yet with only the league to play his side can still chase the scudetto. Early in the window German forward Niclas Füllkrug, who turns 33 soon, joined on loan from West Ham as short-term cover.

Mateta is earmarked to partner Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, often used together in Allegri’s 3-5-2, with Christian Gimenez sidelined until March. On Friday Oliver Glasner left him out for the trip to Nottingham Forrest, indicating an imminent move. Juventus also looked but only on loan.

Source: L'Équipe