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The original was posted on /r/soccer by /u/Sparky-moon on 2026-01-22 17:14:08+00:00.
Mateta feels his £55,000 per week wage – which makes him one of Palace’s lowest-paid starters – does not represent his role in the squad.
However, Palace made a substantial six-figure per week offer over a year ago, which would have rectified his pay disparity, but Mateta wanted to keep his options open and declined.
His desire to leave is driven by lost earnings, while he is not convinced that remaining at Palace will aid his hopes of being named in France’s World Cup squad.
The Frenchman earned his maiden call-up to the France senior side in October 2025 and scored on his first start, a 2-2 draw against Iceland.
Why a deal is stalling
Palace are willing to sell Mateta after accepting he will not sign a new contract and are keen to maximise their return on the striker, who joined from Mainz for £15m in 2022.
Their asking price is understood to be £40m, which has limited the market for Mateta.
Serie A has long been Mateta’s preferred destination. Juventus were the most advanced in their interest this month, but their proposal of a loan with a conditional obligation to buy, dependent on Champions League qualification, was deemed insufficient by Palace.
Aston Villa admire Mateta, but are limited by financial constraints. He was also discussed internally at Tottenham Hotspur before the transfer window opened, although the north London outfit does not plan to explore a move.
Palace have set the objective of winning the Uefa Conference League in Oliver Glasner’s final season at the club, with Mateta a key part of the squad – scoring 10 goals in 33 appearances this term.