Liverpool have opened discussions with the representatives of Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta as the club considers a summer move for the in-form striker.
Mateta, who was born in France and is of Congolese descent, has attracted interest following a standout spell at Selhurst Park.
He has netted 30 goals in his last 72 appearances for Palace, becoming a key part of the club’s resurgence under Oliver Glasner.
According to French outlet Foot Mercato, Liverpool have reached out to the 28-year-old’s camp this week, exploring the possibility of a deal.
The Reds are in the market for a new centre-forward following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, and are also monitoring Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.
Palace originally secured Mateta on loan from Mainz before completing a permanent transfer in January 2022 for around €14.5 million.
With his contract running until 2027, the Eagles are said to value him at €50–60 million—a fee that would deliver a significant return on their investment.
Should the move materialise, Mateta would become the first player in the modern era to make a permanent switch from Palace to Liverpool. All previous transactions between the clubs have either involved loans or movement in the opposite direction.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher praised Mateta earlier this year and said a big move would not surprise him.
“I think there’ll be other clubs looking at him,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “Crystal Palace supporters might get upset by that, but that’s a brilliant finish and for a couple of seasons now he’s been, not just a handful, but a real goal getter.”
He added, “I think he’s brilliant. I really like him—I think he’s a really good player.”
