Mateta re-emerges for Juventus after Conference League final heroics | OneFootball

Reports in Italy claim that Jean-Phillipe Mateta is becoming a popular name in Juventus circles again following his winning goal in Wednesday night’s Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano.

Could Juventus move for Mateta again this summer?

Mateta had been linked with moves to several Serie A sides during the January transfer window. Juventus were among those interested, although it was Milan who had come to an agreement with Crystal Palace, only for the deal to collapse due to medical concerns.

During Mateta’s medical tests with Milan in January, it was revealed that there was an issue with the striker’s knee, which would either require surgery or a lengthy period of rehabilitation.

The Frenchman decided against going under the knife, aware that this might have jeopardised his chances of making Didier Deschamps’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. He has since been included in the 26-man roster.

Mateta was fit enough to feature in all of Crystal Palace’s last nine matches of the Premier League season, scoring four goals in the process, and also netted the winner as the South London outfit won their first ever European title with a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in Wednesday’s Conference League final.

LEIPZIG, GERMANY – MAY 27: Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace celebrates victory while holding a banner which reads “winners” following the UEFA Conference League Final 2026 match between Crystal Palace FC and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Football Arena Leipzig on May 27, 2026 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Now, according to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the idea of signing the 28-year-old is becoming an increasingly viable option again in Bianconeri circles.

Juventus are still uncertain as to whether Dusan Vlahovic will stay or leave, but either way, Juventus are aware of the fact that they need to strengthen at centre-forward.

2025 loanee Randal Kolo Muani remains an option for Juventus, but Mateta is now being considered as a strong alternative to his compatriot, who did not make the cut in the France national team squad.

Mateta, meanwhile, is still likely to leave Crystal Palace this summer given that his contract expires at the end of the 2026-27 season and that he had strongly sought a move away from Selhurst Park in January.

LEIPZIG, GERMANY – MAY 27: Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace misses a chance during the UEFA Conference League Final 2026 match between Crystal Palace FC and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Football Arena Leipzig on May 27, 2026 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Milan had agreed a fee of €35m for Mateta’s services in January, and La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that it is unfeasible that Palace can demand any more for the Frenchman heading into the summer transfer window, when he will have less than a year remaining on his contract.