Crystal Palace have identified Strasbourg forward Emanuel Emegha as a potential replacement should Jean-Philippe Mateta depart the club this summer.
With speculation surrounding Mateta’s future at Selhurst Park, the Premier League side are reportedly preparing for all scenarios and have set their sights on Emegha, who has impressed in Ligue 1 this season with his power, presence, and goalscoring ability.
According to Football Insider, Palace are closely monitoring the 21-year-old Dutch striker, whose profile bears notable similarities to that of Mateta.
Standing at 1.95m, Emegha’s physical dominance, aerial prowess, and sharp instincts in front of goal have drawn favourable comparisons to the French forward, who has been instrumental for Palace in recent months.
Emegha has been in fine form for Strasbourg, registering 14 goals in league play and emerging as one of the standout young attacking talents in European football.
Within the U22 age group across Europe’s top leagues, only Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike has found the net more often this season.
The Dutch youth international’s consistency has caught the attention of several clubs beyond Crystal Palace, with interest reportedly coming from various top-tier sides across the continent.
His rise has been particularly notable given Strasbourg’s mid-table status, highlighting his ability to perform in a competitive and physically demanding league.
Adding another layer to the situation is Chelsea’s involvement.
The Premier League giants, who co-own Strasbourg through the BlueCo consortium, are also said to be tracking Emegha’s progress closely.
This shared ownership structure could potentially smooth the path for Chelsea should they decide to make a formal move.
For Palace, however, the interest is urgent and strategic.
While the club would prefer to keep Mateta, whose resurgence under new management has been a bright spot this season, they are aware of growing transfer interest in the 26-year-old and do not want to be caught unprepared.
Bringing in Emegha would represent a continuation of Palace’s recent approach to recruitment—identifying and investing in young, high-potential players capable of adapting to the pace and demands of English football.
With the transfer window approaching and Mateta’s future unresolved, Palace’s pursuit of Emegha will be closely watched, particularly given the competition they may face—not least from within the BlueCo family.
