Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Jean-Philippe Mateta will not feature in the match against Nottingham Forest, after AC Milan submitted an offer for the striker.
AC Milan, no longer waiting for Christopher Nkunku's future to be resolved, have stepped up their pursuit of Mateta. The Serie A club are prepared to sign Mateta for £35 million in the summer transfer window, but they hope to bring him to Italy on loan in the winter window, with the loan deal including an obligation to buy.
Speaking in Sunday's pre-match press conference ahead of the Forest game, Glasner said: “This is not about the transfer. He just doesn't feel right and doesn't feel fit to play. We have to protect the team and we have to protect him, so he won't travel to Nottingham.”
Crystal Palace are looking to find a replacement for Mateta before his potential departure, and remain keen to sign Stian Rode Larsen from Wolverhampton Wanderers. According to Sky Sports News, all parties have essentially reached a verbal agreement on a transfer fee of £45 million plus £5 million in add-ons for Larsen. However, some details of the deal still need to be adjusted and it is not yet finalised. Leeds United are also keeping an eye on Larsen's situation.
