Manchester United have reportedly been told that they will have to pay £40m to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta in the summer.
The Red Devils are set to take on Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday in the Premier League, and few expect the hosts to earn a positive result against the Londoners.
United have scored just 33 goals in the top flight this season - 18 fewer than Arsenal - and they will undoubtedly need to reinforce in attack if boss Ruben Amorim is to get the club back competing for Premier League titles.
However, Amorim may not be able to sign top targets such as Viktor Gyokeres given the club's poor financial healthy, and that may mean the Portuguese boss will have to look for cheaper alternatives.
L'Equipe claim that talks have already taken place between United and Mateta's representatives ahead of a potential summer move, though Palace are expected to hold out for £40m.
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Does Mateta fit in?
The Crystal Palace striker has excelled in the last two seasons at Selhurst Park, scoring 16 goals and producing five assists in the league in 2023-24 and scoring 12 goals and registering two assists in 27 matches so far this campaign.
His tally of 12 goals in 2024-25 has already matched current United striker Rasmus Hojlund's entire Premier League tally since he arrived at Old Trafford last term.
Alongside the Frenchman's goalscoring instincts, he is excellent at holding the ball up under pressure, and he has shown that he is adept at making runs in behind opposition defences.
Mateta would likely form strong relationships with United's attacking players, and the likes of Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes would almost certainly enjoy playing with the forward.
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Should United look elsewhere?
While Mateta would cost significantly less than strikers such as Gyokeres, it remains to be seen if paying £40m for the 27-year-old would be the best use of limited funds.
The striker will be 28 by the time next season starts, and United must be certain that Mateta can continue to excel as he ages considering they already spent more than £70m on Hojlund.
Jonathan David of Lille is a proven goalscorer, and he is set to leave the French team for free at the end of the season, so perhaps his signature would allow Amorim to spend money elsewhere.
Patrick Dorgu was signed in the January transfer window and is Amorim's only signing since arriving in November, and he must be allowed to mould the squad in his own image in order to achieve long-term success.
Lewis Nolan
