Crystal Palace Target Bundesliga Star Amid Potential £40m Exit | OneFootball

Crystal Palace Track Hugo Ekitike Amid Potential Mateta Exit

Palace Monitor Ekitike as Mateta Interest Grows

Crystal Palace are positioning themselves for a significant summer in the transfer market, with TeamTalk reporting that the club is considering a move for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. This interest comes amid growing uncertainty around Jean-Philippe Mateta’s future at Selhurst Park.

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Mateta has been in superb form this season, attracting interest from a number of clubs in both the Premier League and Bundesliga — including Manchester United. Palace, according to the report, are willing to consider offers in the region of £40 million for the Frenchman and are preparing contingency plans should a deal materialise.

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Ekitike Keen on Premier League Switch

Sources close to the situation told TeamTalk that Ekitike is “extremely keen to play in the Premier League”, with his representatives actively exploring options. While Newcastle had shown interest in previous windows, they are now believed to be looking at other targets.

That leaves Palace well-positioned to make a move, with Ekitike seen as a strong candidate to replace Mateta should he depart. The club will monitor the 22-year-old closely over the remainder of the Bundesliga season.

Revival at Frankfurt After PSG Struggles

Ekitike’s journey to this point has not been without difficulty. After leaving Stade Reims for Paris Saint-Germain in 2022, he struggled to find regular minutes and form, managing just four goals in 33 appearances.

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However, his loan move to Frankfurt last January — now a permanent deal — has reignited his career. The French forward has scored 23 goals in 55 games for the German club, and is once again attracting attention from top sides across Europe.

“Hugo is a player that has constant interest,” sources told TeamTalk. “He is someone who has come close to the Premier League and he will be closer again this summer. We all know how good he is.”

Price Tag Won’t Deter Suitors

Frankfurt are reportedly seeking around £60 million for Ekitike, but given his age and potential, it’s a valuation that may not deter clubs with a long-term vision. With Palace aiming to evolve under Oliver Glasner, a player of Ekitike’s profile could fit both stylistically and strategically.

Palace are expected to keep a close watch as Frankfurt attempt to secure Champions League football in their final 11 league games.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Losing Mateta would sting for Palace fans — he’s found form and finally looks like the player they hoped he’d become — but this isn’t a step backwards. It’s a continuation of ambition.

Ekitike has that blend of flair, pace and poise that we rarely get to see up front at Selhurst Park. Yes, the PSG spell was a misstep, but who hasn’t struggled for minutes in that galaxy of stars? What matters is that he’s bounced back at Frankfurt, and 23 goals in 55 games proves he’s maturing into a serious forward.

A fee around £60m is steep, but if Palace sell Mateta for £40m and reinvest wisely, this is exactly the kind of move that shows they’re not just surviving in the Premier League anymore — they’re planning to thrive. If the board pulls this off, it could be a defining move in their next chapter.