Why Jean-Philippe Mateta transfer makes sense for Nottingham Forest amid £35m bid | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest have tabled a £35m offer for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta as they seek to bolster their attack before the deadline. According to Nottingham Post, the move targets proven Premier League output to aid survival and a Europa League run.

Lorenzo Lucca arrived on Friday as the first January signing, and Forest want another centre-forward. Since October, Sean Dyche has noted several summer recruits need time to adjust, so experience is prized.

Palace could be willing to sell if a package around £40m is offered and a replacement is sourced. The clubs meet at the City Ground on Sunday, and Palace are only three points above 17th-placed Forest.

Mateta joined Palace permanently in January 2022 after a loan from Mainz 05, has made 100-plus league appearances and scored 44 league goals. This season he has started all 23 league matches and scored eight, with two in his last 11.

He has converted 14.8% of 54 shots, with an xG of 11.97 and a league-worst xG difference of -3.97. He has missed 17 big chances, second only to Erling Haaland, and his big-chance conversion is 29.2%.

At 28 and at significant cost, there are fair questions, yet Chris Wood hit 20 league goals last season at 34. Only rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers, on 15, have scored fewer than Forest's 23, so extra firepower alongside Igor Jesus, Taiwo Awoniyi and Napoli loanee Lucca could help.

Source: Nottingham Post