Glasner confirms Crystal Palace drop Mateta for Forest clash, fuelling Milan speculation | OneFootball

Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner confirms Milan target Jean-Philippe Mateta won’t be part of the squad for Sunday’s Premier League match against Nottingham Forest: ‘He doesn’t feel in the right place right now to play.’

Crystal Palace have omitted Mateta from their squad list for their upcoming Premier League match at Nottingham Forest.

Palace have reportedly reached an agreement with Milan over a €30m transfer, and the Rossoneri are pushing to welcome the French striker at San Siro before the end of the January transfer window.

Crystal Palace drop Mateta for Nottingham Forest clash

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 04: Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace looks on prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St James’ Park on January 04, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

“I can confirm that JP [Mateta] will not be in the matchday squad, but it’s nothing to do right now with a transfer – it’s just he doesn’t feel in the right place right now to play, and it makes no sense because we have to protect the team, I have to protect him. That’s why he will not travel with us to Nottingham,” Palace coach Glasner said via the club’s official website.

According to Gazzetta, Mateta has already reached an agreement with Milan and prefers a move to San Siro over joining Nottingham Forest.

What Milan need to sign Mateta

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 07: Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace warms up prior to the Premier League match between Fulham and Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage on December 07, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Crystal Palace, however, need to sign a replacement before letting Mateta move to Italy, while the Rossoneri might need to sell Christopher Nkunku, who has reportedly attracted interest from Roma.

Milan already signed one striker, Niclas Fullkrug, from West Ham in the January transfer window.

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Niclas Fullkrug of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Mateta has netted ten times in 34 appearances across all competitions with Crystal Palace this season.