Man Utd urged to make move for Premier League striker NOW after contract talks stall

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Manchester United have been encouraged to pursue a deal for Jean-Philippe Mateta, with Bacary Sagna claiming a move for the Crystal Palace striker makes perfect sense.

The Red Devils were linked with the Frenchman back in the summer before signing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig for big money. But despite spending over £200million in the summer on an overhaul of their attack - and some promising early signs from the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha - United are still being linked with another striker.

While it remains to be seen if Ruben Amorim and the Old Trafford hierarchy would like another out and out No 9 to compete with Sesko, whispers of interest in Mateta refuse to go away.

And Sagna feels that moving for Mateta, a proven goalscorer at Premier League level, would be a no-brainer as Crystal Palace struggle to tie their talisman down to a new deal.

“It would make sense if Jean-Philippe Mateta went to Manchester United ,” the former Arsenal defender told Oddspedia . “They don’t really have a No 9 who is tall, can hold the ball and can get on the end of crosses.

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“It could be difficult for him as a new player coming into a club where there are a lot of new players and transferring his skills across from Crystal Palace, but a move to Old Trafford would be good for him and the club.

“It will also be difficult for Palace to keep hold of him, and it’s the right moment for him to move if he wants the test of playing for one of the biggest teams in the Premier League . He’s not a young player anymore and it might be one of the last moves of his career, so he will probably push for it if the opportunity arises.”

Sagna's comments come less than 24 hours after it emerged talks between Mateta and Crystal Palace over a new contract are at a standstill.

The Standard have confirmed that Palace will need to 'significantly increase' their current offer if they are to persuade Mateta to stay at Selhurst Park, with the striker - whose current deal expires in 2027 - dreaming of a move to an elite club.

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