Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is pushing the club to offer a new long-term contract to an “amazing” ace ahead of the summer transfer window opening, according to a new report.
Crystal Palace sail into FA Cup 5th round
The Eagles secured their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Monday night, as they comfortably beat League Two side Doncaster Rovers 2-0. Goals from Daniel Munoz and Justin Devenny on either side of halftime were enough to get Palace through and book a tie against London rivals Millwall.
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It would not be a popular decision at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles met Millwall not so long ago, as the pair were drawn against one another in the FA Cup in 2022, with Palace winning 2-1, and Glasner has labelled the fifth-round match “even more special”.
“I could feel the excitement in the dressing room,” the boss said after Monday’s victory at Doncaster Rovers. “It makes this game even bigger than it is.
“As long as you are in the competition, you can win it. We will go for it. I don’t know if it will work, but we will go for it – definitely. I’m pleased with the performance [against Doncaster]. Over the first 60 minutes, I think we controlled the game and didn’t give them anything.
“We wanted to give Ben [Chilwell] some minutes. We could see he’s comfortable in possession, in passing – a little bit more attacking than [Tyrick Mitchell].”
Glasner pushing Palace chiefs to offer long-term deal to Mateta
Away from matters on the pitch, according to Football Insider, Crystal Palace are looking to hold contract talks with striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, as they look to secure his long-term future at Selhurst Park.
The 27-year-old, who originally joined Palace on loan from Bundesliga side Mainz 05 in 2021 before joining on a permanent basis in 2022, is under contract at the Premier League side until the summer of 2027. The Eagles triggered the one-year option in the forward’s contract in December but are now keen to tie him down to a longer contract, with Glasner desperate for the club to retain his services.
Palace’s urgency to give Mateta a new contract comes as Spanish giants Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are interested in signing him, as well as Manchester United. 10 goals in 24 league games this season have put him on the radar of some big European sides, and the Eagles will be keen to avoid any transfer speculation when the summer arrives.
Mateta, who has been hailed as “amazing in the box” by Glasner, scored 16 goals in 35 Premier League games last season, becoming a real prominent figure for the South London side. If a new deal cannot be agreed upon, Palace still have time on their hands, as his contract doesn’t end for another two years, but it could become harder to refuse bids, especially if they reach the £50 million price tag that has been reportedly placed on his head.
