Speaking recently on the Sky Sports Transfer Talk podcast, Dharmesh Sheth discussed Crystal Palace’s signing of Mainz centre-forward, Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Having impressed over his 17 appearances in all competitions for Mainz so far this season, scoring 10 goals and providing one assist for the Bundesliga side, Roy Hodgson pulled the trigger on a move for the £13.5 million-rated 23-year-old, landing him on an 18-month loan deal from Bo Svensson’s team.
The Frenchman’s arrival provides Hodgson with much-needed reinforcements in the attacking department of his squad, as Michy Batshuayi, Christian Benteke and Jordan Ayew have managed just four Premier League goals between them so far this season.
And, Mateta’s signing for the south London side was one topic of conversation on a recent episode of the Transfer Talk podcast, in which Sheth revealed the financial details of Palace’s deal for the striker.
He said: “Mateta joins on an 18-month loan with an option to buy. Palace have paid around £2.7 million in a loan fee and the permanent deal is worth around £13 million. That will become an obligation to buy if and when Matata has started 15 Premier League games. He’s shown some form this season though, for Mainz, he’s scored 10 goals in 17 games.”
Will Mateta be a good signing for Palace?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Dharmesh Sheth’s comments regarding Jean-Philippe Mateta…
Considering the fact that Palace’s previous options up front had been rather toothless so far this season, it is hardly surprising that Hodgson has chosen to bring a centre-forward into the club in the current window. Indeed, Wilfried Zaha has managed to find the back of the net eight times, but he’s not received too much help as Christian Benteke is second in the Palace scoring ranks with three goals.
And, if Mateta can replicate the form he has been in for Mainz in the first half of the season at Palace, then, in our opinion, he will be well worth the £13 million obligation to buy clause that Sheth revealed is within the 23-year-old’s contract at Palace.