Blow for INEOS: One of their main Delap alternatives is ‘progressing’ in new contract talks with his club

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·12 de junho de 2025

Blow for INEOS: One of their main Delap alternatives is ‘progressing’ in new contract talks with his club

After missing out on first-choice forward target Liam Delap to Chelsea, Manchester United have been frantically scouring the market for suitable alternatives.

They remain locked in negotiations with Brentford over a deal for Bryan Mbeumo, having had an opening offer of £45 million plus £10m in add-ons rebuffed last week.

Vídeos OneFootball

Yet, while there’s no doubt Mbeumo, who scored 20 league goals last season, can do a commendable job leading the line, an out-and-out No.9 is still necessary to add to Ruben Amorim’s ranks.

United set sights on Jean-Philippe Mateta coup

Mateta has flourished under Oliver Glasner. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

INEOS chiefs have seemingly looked to take the route of targeting Premier League-proven stars this summer, which is a sentiment fans can certainly get behind, given how previous signings, such as Rasmus Hojlund, have struggled to adapt to the English top flight.

In line with that, the Red Devils had reportedly shortlisted Jean-Philippe Mateta as a backup option to Delap following his stellar campaign leading Oliver Glasner’s line at Crystal Palace.

The frontman notched 14 goals and two assists in 37 league appearances in 2024/2025, while his most notable term since joining the Eagles came the season prior; he netted 16 goals and contributed six assists in 35 matches across 2023/2024.

Palace confident Mateta will commit to new deal

Last December, Palace activated the one-year option in Mateta’s contract to ensure he was tied to Selhurst Park until June 2027. Now, they’re looking to extend his stay even further down the line.

A fresh report from TBR Football today claims Palace are ‘pleased’ with how contract talks have been ‘progressing’ in recent weeks, and they are growing increasingly confident that the 27-year-old will put pen to paper on new terms soon — rebuffing interest from United in the process.

From Mateta’s point of view, he reportedly dreams of representing France at the 2026 World Cup and believes he’s more likely to receive a call-up if he continues his impressive form with the South London outfit.