CRYSTAL PALACE are on the verge of signing Mainz striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, according to reports.
Boss Roy Hodgson is eager to bolster his attack this month and land a prolific front man.
Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to bolster Crystal Palace’s attackCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Wilfried Zaha is the club’s top scorer with eight while Christian Benteke is next with just three.
According to the Atheltic, 23-year-old Mateta will join on a lengthy 18-month loan deal with an obligation to buy for £15million in the summer of 2022.
Palace will hope the Frenchman can ease the burden on Zaha’s shoulders when the deal is completed.
Reports suggest he has already arrived in the capital and will undergo his medical on Wednesday morning before he is announced as a Palace player.
Mainz coach Bo Svensson already confirmed that the deal is practically completed by telling Sky Germany: “If everything goes well, it will happen.”
Mateta has been in brilliant form scoring 10 goals in 17 Bundesliga matches this season.
He moved to Mainz in 2018 from Lyon and has made 11 appearances for the France Under-21 side.
Hodgson landed Michy Batshuayi on loan from Chelsea in September but the Belgium has yet to find the net in 11 Prem appearances.
Take a look back at Arsenal’s draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
