Forest Launch £35m Bid for Palace Striker Mateta
Nottingham Forest have emerged as surprise contenders to sign Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta in a deal worth around £35 million, according to reports. This potential transfer comes despite a significant deterioration in relations between the two Premier League clubs following a contentious dispute last season.
Mateta Seeks Exit as Palace Face Turbulent Period
The 28-year-old French international has reportedly made his desire to leave Selhurst Park clear during this transfer window. His potential departure represents another blow for Crystal Palace, who have already seen defender Marc Guehi depart this month and face the impending exit of head coach Oliver Glasner at the season's end.
Mateta, despite experiencing a recent dip in form, remains Palace's top scorer this campaign with nine goals. He has previously attracted interest from European clubs, including a failed bid from Italian giants AC Milan, and was linked with Aston Villa last week before their focus shifted to re-signing Tammy Abraham.
Strained Relations Complicate Potential Deal
The backdrop to this potential transfer is notably frosty. Relations between Forest and Palace became severely strained last year when Nottingham Forest effectively took Palace's place in the Europa League. This followed UEFA's ruling on multi-club ownership rules concerning John Textor, who held significant stakes in both Crystal Palace and French club Lyon at the time.
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish appeared to suggest Forest played a role in their European demotion, creating a lingering tension that now complicates transfer negotiations between the clubs.
Forest's Survival Push and Attacking Needs
From Forest's perspective, the move represents a significant investment in their battle against relegation. Currently sitting 17th in the Premier League, just five points above the relegation zone, Forest are seeking attacking reinforcements following Chris Wood's knee surgery.
The Telegraph reports that Forest are keen to bring Mateta to The City Ground to boost their survival hopes after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign to date. However, the club faces the challenge of convincing a player understood to favour Champions League football to join a relegation-threatened side.
League Position Adds Further Complexity
The logistics of the Premier League table present another obstacle. Crystal Palace sit just three points above Forest in 15th place, making them unlikely to sanction a sale to a direct relegation rival, particularly one with whom relations are already strained.
Forest are reportedly prepared to make a lucrative financial offer to overcome Mateta's preference for Champions League football, but whether Palace would approve any deal remains uncertain. The situation is further complicated by the fact Mateta could potentially face his current club this weekend when Palace visit The City Ground.
As the transfer deadline approaches, this potential £35m move represents one of the more intriguing and complex sagas of the January window, combining on-field needs with off-field tensions between two Premier League clubs fighting for survival.
