CRYSTAL PALACE are chasing Strasbourg’s Dutch striker Emanuel Emegha — in case Jean-Philippe Mateta is sold.
Emegha, 22, has proved a big hit in Ligue 1 this season — the Eagles have been to watch him and are poised to swoop.
The French club would want £30million for Emegha who is also being scouted by several Premier League rivals, including Chelsea.
Palace are willing to go high if Mateta leaves in the summer after his second straight season of grabbing goals.
The French hitman, 27, still has two years left on his contract but he could be tempted if Champions League football came on offer elsewhere.
He won silver at the Olympics last year and his chances of a national call-up would be helped by a high-profile move.
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Mateta counts 17 goals and four assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.
That adds to the centre-forward’s grand total of 46 goals and 11 assists in 148 appearances since joining Palace from Mainz in 2022.
The Frenchman is undergoing a tough season after his horrific injury against Millwall in the FA Cup following an ill-judged challenge by goalkeeper Liam Roberts that led to 25 stitches in his ear.
The striker has since been wearing protective gear on his head while playing for the Eagles.
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Emegha has also been very impressive with Strasbourg, who are owned by Chelsea owners Clearlake, this season.
The Dutchman has 14 goals and three assists in 29 appearances across all competitions.
The forward counts a total of 23 goals and five assists in 60 matches since his arrival from Sturm Graz in 2023.
That has led to immense interest from Chelsea, who are desperate to sign a striker this summer and are also keeping tabs on RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
