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Crystal Palace Reject Aston Villa Bid for Wantaway Striker: According to reports, The Eagles have rejected an opening bid from Villa for wantaway striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, with the offer falling well below the Palace’s valuation of the forward. Villa’s interest remains ongoing as they assess their attacking options, with main striker Ollie Watkins gaining interest from to Saudi side Al Hilal. Mateta wants to leave Selhurst Park, and recent reports suggest that the Frenchman has taken the matter to FIFA and has argued that his deal with the Eagles is invalid. Read More: Everton vs Crystal Palace: Team News and Confirmed Lineups Crystal Palace Reject Aston Villa Bid for Striker Jean-Philippe Mateta to Villa? Aston Villa’s bid was swiftly rejected by the Eagles, who felt the offer was far less than what they required for the French international. Mateta previously expressed his desire to leave Palace in January, and only a failed medical stopped a deal to AC Milan, which was reported at around £30million. The 29-year-old had gained cult hero status at Crystal Palace as he headed into his sixth season with the South London side, but news that he wanted to leave led to Mateta being booed onto the pitch after his move to Milan fell through. All was forgiven, however, when Mateta scored the only goal of the game in May to secure Palace’s first-ever European trophy as the Eagles lifted the Conference League title in Leipzig. With Mateta wanting to leave for a second time, Palace are expected to at least listen to offers for their star striker. Mateta’s Up and Down Time at Palace Jean-Philippe Mateta was originally signed on loan from French side Mainz during the 2020/21 season and scored just a single goal in seven league appearances. A flutter of goals in January 2022 saw Palace extend the striker’s deal to a permanent one, as he signed a four and a half year deal. Goals still didn’t flow in and the Frenchman ended up with seven goals in 28 appearances in all competitions. The 2022/23 campaign was even more disappointing, with Mateta scoring just two in 32 appearances in all competitions and was largely second choice behind Odsonne Edouard. 2023/24 and the appointment of Oliver Glasner was when Mateta’s time at Palace really started, and he went onto scored 16 in the league, with a superb end of the season in which he racked up 13 goals in the final 12 games of the season. He continued his form into the 2024/25 season and bagged 17 in all competitions, in a season that Mateta was the main striker as Crystal Palace won their first ever major trophy as the Eagles won the FA Cup at Wembley. Despite injury and transfer rumours, Mateta managed to still have a successful season last campaign, which ended with him scoring the winner in Leipzig as Palace won the Conference League. The 29-year-old’s form earnt him a call-up to France’s 2026 World Cup squad, in which he played three times as Les Bleus secured a fourth placed finish. Read More: Jean-Philippe Mateta Joins Crystal Palace on 18-Month Loan Deal Crystal Palace Reject Aston Villa Bid for Wantaway Striker: Europa League Winners Need New Forward Aston Villa enjoyed one of their most successful seasons as a club last campaign, as they won the Europa League as well as finishing fourth in the Premier League last season. Due to PSR rulings, Villa have needed to sell this summer and have endured a poor summer as a result, with the likes of Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans and Donyell Malen all departing this transfer window. With rumours surrounding Ollie Watkins’ future, the Villains need to act fast and Mateta would provide a proven Premier League goalscorer for Villa. Villa lined up without a recognised striker as they were beaten 4-0 by Brighton on the weekend, and with just a week left in the window, deals need to be completed soon. Mateta has enjoyed success in games against Aston Villa and has scored six and assisted three against the Villains, which included a hat-trick on the last day of the 23/24 Premier League season. Featured image courtesy of IMAGO / Crystal Pix