West Ham United to ‘pay whatever it takes’ to sign Mateta after Crystal Palace news
West Ham are in the running to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace this summer.
The Hammers have been in need of a striker this season after Niclas Fullkrug and Michail Antonio were forced to deal with long-term injury issues.
Evan Ferguson has come in and made his debut against Brentford but with his loan deal expiring at the end of the season, a new number nine will be needed.
The Irons have now been told to make a swoop to sign the Frenchman, who could add something that the East Londoners have been missing at the London Stadium.
West Ham urged to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace
Graham Potter’s side are said to be monitoring the 27-year-old at Selhurst Park after doubts emerged over his future [TBR Football].
Mateta is yet to sign a new contract with the Eagles with his current deal set to end in the summer of 2027.
This could provide the perfect opportunity for the Hammers to step in and take the SE25 club’s talisman in the upcoming window on a cheaper deal.
Former Irons midfielder Martin Allen believes a blank cheque should be given to the ex-Mainz forward who will represent a much-needed addition at the London Stadium.
“If he was a cheap transfer and he’s a centre forward, it is absolutely crucial that he can get in behind, Allen exclusively told West Ham Zone.
“It stretches the opposition and gets goal-scoring opportunities, West Ham are lacking that. Mateta does get in behind, he’s got the pace and strength to do that.
“He’s available and if I were West Ham I’d be collecting cheap transfers and spending more money on wages.
“Get him in, build around him, pay whatever it takes and I would go down that route.“
West Ham to make sizable offer to Jean-Philippe Mateta
There is no doubt that Potter has already had to deal with sizable injury concerns in the number nine role since taking over as head coach.
This campaign, Lucas Paqueta has been utilised as a false nine at times but besides the draw against Aston Villa, there were little positives to take from his showings.
Jarrod Bowen has also played up front for large stints of this season and has continued to perform well but adding in a recognised striker could help get even more out of the England international.
Mateta could prove to be that guy for the Irons after what has been an excellent spell under Oliver Glasner at Selhurst Park.
The Frenchman has scored 11 goals in the Premier League this season, adding to the 16 he netted last campaign and that sort of output would be very useful in East London.
It will be interesting to see whether the forward would be keen to move across the capital but a sizable wage offer may prove too difficult to turn down.