Mateta undergoes medical as Crystal Palace striker inches closer to Milan move

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is undergoing a medical ahead of a proposed move to AC Milan in a deal valued at more than €30 million.

The transfer would bring an end to Mateta’s three-year spell in south London as the winter window nears its conclusion.

Milan have been working on the deal in recent days and have moved quickly to progress it towards completion.

Mateta, 28, was not included in Palace’s squad for Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest.

Head coach Oliver Glasner said on Friday that the striker was “not in the right place to play” and needed to be protected.

Palace had initially been reluctant to sanction a sale unless their valuation was met.

Sources briefed on the negotiations indicated the club were seeking a package in the region of £40 million.

Contract talks with Mateta have been ongoing since before the summer of 2024, with his deal having entered its final 18 months.

Those discussions failed to reach a breakthrough, with the player keen on a move that would offer Champions League football.

Milan’s interest accelerated after Nottingham Forest submitted an offer worth £35 million earlier in the week.

Palace’s stance softened once progress was made on securing a replacement.

Earlier in the day, Palace reached an agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign Jorgen Strand Larsen, clearing the path for Mateta’s departure.

That sequencing had been viewed as essential by the club before allowing their leading striker to leave.

Mateta has scored nine goals in 33 Premier League appearances this season, although his form has dipped in recent weeks.

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Only two of those goals have come in his last 13 matches.

Since arriving from Mainz in 2022, he has made 186 senior appearances for Palace, scoring 56 goals.

The move would mark Palace’s second major departure of the window following Marc Guehi’s transfer to Manchester City earlier in January.

For Milan, Mateta is seen as an experienced addition for the run-in.

The Serie A side sit second in the table, five points behind Inter, and are looking to strengthen their attacking options.

Injuries have limited the availability of key forwards, forcing Milan to rely heavily on short-term solutions.

Mateta’s physical presence and experience were key factors in their interest.

Attention now turns to the completion of the medical and the finalisation of paperwork.

If concluded, the deal would represent a significant moment in Palace’s January business.

It would also offer Mateta the European platform he has long sought.