Jean-Philippe Mateta dispute over contract casts doubt on Crystal Palace future | OneFootball

Jean-Philippe Mateta is disputing the final year of his Crystal Palace contract, placing his future at the club in doubt. He argues the last year is invalid, referring to the remaining 10 months of a deal that is currently due to run until June 2027.

According to The Standard, Mateta and his representatives challenged Palace’s 12-month option, activated in 2024, at a Premier League tribunal last season, and though the ruling was not public, it was made clear to the player that the contract remains binding. He then took the case to FIFA, who ruled they did not have jurisdiction.

Mateta started Palace’s Premier League opener on Saturday, a 2-0 defeat at Everton in Pierre Sage’s first competitive match in charge.

Had his case succeeded, he could have become a free agent before next summer rather than a Palace employee. The English transfer window remains open until September one, and a sale is possible if a buyer emerges and Palace approve a move.

Aston Villa, who appear set to lose Ollie Watkins to Saudi Arabia, have held long-standing interest dating back to 2024 and explored a January deal before signing Tammy Abraham.

Mateta has been Palace’s most important goalscorer over the past five years, but his camp have repeatedly sounded out exits for the 29-year-old, including during prolonged and ultimately fruitless contract talks in 2024 and 2025. He also came close to joining AC Milan in January, only for a knee injury to scupper the move late on.

Source: The Standard

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