Man United Eyeing Move to Sign 17-Goal Premier League Forward | OneFootball

Mateta Targeted as Manchester United Adjust Striker Strategy

Manchester United’s search for a consistent and physical presence up front has taken a new direction. With Liam Delap heading to Chelsea, TEAMtalk now reports that Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace has emerged as a “prime option on their transfer shortlist.”

In a summer window where Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) are influencing every decision, United’s challenge is to upgrade their forward line without overextending financially. Mateta, a seasoned Premier League striker with 17 goals in the 2024/25 season, fits the brief in terms of profile and productivity, but he won’t come cheap.

Palace Not Eager to Sell

TEAMtalk note that “sources indicate that negotiations could be challenging, as Palace, fresh off Europa League qualification, are keen to retain Mateta, who is under contract until 2027.” Valued at around £50 million, the Frenchman won’t be prised away easily, especially given the broader interest in Palace’s other stars such as Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton, and Marc Guehi.

Photo: IMAGO

Oliver Glasner, keen to build on Palace’s recent progress, is determined to hold on to his core players. That leaves United needing either a substantial financial outlay or a creative deal to tempt the Eagles into parting with their No. 9.

Amorim’s Tactical Fit

At 27, Mateta combines experience with the qualities Ruben Amorim’s system demands:  “physicality, aerial prowess, and clinical finishing.” These attributes make him a natural fit for a pressing style that depends on mobility and strength in transitions.

Following the setback with Delap, Mateta represents a readier-made solution, and one with a clear track record in the Premier League. Though his form has fluctuated in the past, the 2024/25 campaign marked his most productive, with an ability to deliver in tight matches catching United’s eye.

Budget Restrictions Loom Large

The club’s PSR-imposed limits make Mateta’s price tag a sticking point. With needs across multiple areas of the squad, United cannot afford to splash £50m lightly. Player sales or staggered deal structures are likely the only way to make such a move work.

Photo IMAGO

The recruitment department, already under pressure, must now balance a desire for quality with financial sustainability. Amorim has been clear in his demands, a reliable striker and multiple reinforcements, and the success of his first season could hinge on whether those requests are met.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

This report leaves us in two minds. On one hand, Jean-Philippe Mateta looks like a solid, if unspectacular, option: Premier League-proven, physically imposing, and coming off a strong season. He wouldn’t need time to adapt, and his profile suits the system Amorim is building.

But let’s be honest, he’s not the marquee striker we’ve been crying out for. There’s a sense of practicality rather than ambition here, and while we understand the PSR limitations, it’s hard not to feel like we’re shopping for reliability instead of brilliance.

Still, there’s logic to this. Mateta would be an upgrade on what we have behind Højlund. He can hold the ball up, finish chances, and provide something different off the bench or in certain tactical setups. At £50m, though? That feels steep, especially if it restricts other areas of the squad.

If we’re going for Mateta, the deal needs to make financial sense. No more panic buys. No more overpays. If the club sees this as part of a broader plan, and not the final piece of the puzzle, it might just work.