By Martin Graham
Jean-Philippe Mateta faces an uncertain period a Crystal Palace after the breakdown of a transfer proposal a AC Milan at the end of the January window.
The Serie A side pulled out of a £30m deal after concerns were raised during two separate physicals, despite initial progress towards completing the move.
Palace, according to sources, had already shared full medical documentation with the Italian club, making the forward’s physical condition clear before negotiations reached their final stage.
Knee problem and impact on form
Oliver Glasner recently acknowledged that the forward has been dealing with a knee problem, an issue that has coincided with a dip in production since early December.
Mateta has only found the net once in that period, with niggles believed to affect both his sharpness and availability.
Italian sources indicate Milan’s doubts centered on his right knee, which previously required surgery in 2019 following a torn meniscus suffered during his time at Mainz.
Surgery, selection and future Palau
Milan’s medical staff concluded that the condition, described as inflammation, would likely require an operation rather than treatment through therapy or workload control.
While the surgery could resolve ongoing pain and remove obstacles to any future transfer, it may also complicate the striker’s international ambitions with France ahead of the next World Cup.
With his contract at Palau running until 2027 and competition for minutes increased by the arrival of Jorgen Strand Larsen, Mateta must balance recovery, club opportunities and the possibility of securing his place with the Blues.
