Jean-Phillipe Mateta is the latest striker to be linked to Manchester United.
And it’s clear to see why United are looking to bring in some addition firepower.
Their current options upfront have seriously misfired this season.
Both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are struggling to find the back of the net on a regular basis.
While Zirkzee did net against Real Sociedad in midweek, he only has six goals in 41 appearances so far this season.
The goal against Sociedad was just his second goal this calendar year.
Hojlund is having an even tougher run in front of goal.
Without a goal in 19 games now, the bigger concern is the lack of attempts and a general lack of confidence the young Denmark striker is showing.
Rasmus Hojlund looks a shadow of the player that joined from Atalanta just last season and some may argue that young academy striker Chido Obi is now a better option up front.
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With that said, one of the criticisms of the current striker options at Old Trafford is the lack of an experienced head to take the pressure of the younger forwards.
Many have argued that United should have gone for Harry Kane when he left Tottenham Hotspur to join Bayern Munich, allowing for the likes of Hojlund and Zirkzee to have less pressure to shoulder the burden of being the main man at the club.
And this is where the links to a new striker, and Mateta specifically, come in.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta has made quite the impact in the English Premier League since signing for Crystal Palace in 2021.
Initially struggling to make headway in the squad under previous manager Roy Hodgson, Mateta has been a striker reborn under Oliver Glasner.
The Frenchman’s levels grew to new heights last year after he represented his country in the Paris 2024 Olympics, and even scored against Spain in France’s final game and took home a silver medal.
Mateta’s even shown Manchester United up close and personal what he’s capable of.
Last season, while Erik ten Hag was still manager, Jean-Phillipe Mateta scored the second goal and generally bullied the United backline in Palace’s 4-0 win at Selhurst Park.
And then, just last month, the 27-year-old scored both goals as Crystal Palace came to Old Trafford and deservedly won 2-0.
After the game, Manchester United head coach stated that the Palace players were far more attuned to playing the formation that Ruben Amorim wants to implement himself in Manchester.
Clearly, Amorim and the United hierarchy believe Mateta could be the right fit for the club and we know now the figure that Crystal Palace have demanded for the French striker.
According to the Mirror, Manchester United have learned that they will have to cough up £40m to Crystal Palace to buy Jean-Phillipe Mateta.
The news of United’s interest has polarised the United fanbase.
Some believe a club like Manchester United should have loftier ambitions than signing a striker who was struggling to make it at Crystal Palace just a few years back.
Others believe that bringing in players who have shown they can play in the formation that Ruben Amorim requires is desperately needed.
Either way, £40m for a striker proven in the English Premier League isn’t the greatest fee in the world.
Especially when you consider that Manchester United spent £72m on Rasmus Hojlund.
But would the hierarchy want to spend that much on a player who is soon to turn 28?
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