MusaJean-Philippe Mateta is a new name in the frame to solve West Ham’s longstanding striker problem after talks over a new Crystal Palace contract stalled.
Hammers News exclusive
West Ham are searching high and low for a new striker ahead of the January transfer window and now their gaze has turned to south London and Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Hammers News previously revealed Nuno Espirito Santo identified a striker as his priority signing for January after just one game at the West Ham helm.
Now an ambitious enquiry is being made in the background for Crystal Palace’s French striker Mateta, who has blossomed into one of the best forwards in the Premier League in the last two-and-a-half seasons.
Palace star Mateta a new name in the frame for West Ham
Mateta smashed 19 goals for Palace the season before last before adding another 17 last term.
The 28-year-old is showing no signs of letting up, with nine goals to his name already in the current campaign.
At 6ft 4in with power and pace, Mateta is exactly what West Ham have been crying out for up top.
The Hammers have been linked with a number of forwards including Man United’s Joshua Zirkzee, Forest’s Chris Wood, Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus and several others.
West Ham have failed with a fresh move for longstanding target Marcos Leonardo.
But while the Irons weight up another approach to Al Hilal for the wantaway Brazilian, attentions have turned closer to home – and Selhurst Park to be precise.
Hammers News understands West Ham are sounding out a potential move for Mateta after his Crystal Palace contract talks stalled.
But West Ham’s hopes face a big World Cup hurdle.
BBC Sport journalist Sami Mokbel has revealed Mateta’s conversations with the Eagles about signing a new deal have hit the buffers.
Hammers sound out move for Mateta as contract talks stall
West Ham are scouring the globe for strikers and, given their lowly position in the Premier League, are looking to take advantage of circumstances.
Mateta’s existing Crystal Palace deal expires in June 2027 – and discussions over fresh terms have failed to reach a resolution.
Mokbel claims insiders have indicated Mateta is now in no rush to commit his future to the Eagles and is open to a move.
That, Hammers News has learned, has alerted West Ham – among other clubs – and a ‘tentative enquiry’ has gone in to the player’s camp over whether he would be open to a move to the London Stadium.
Other bigger clubs than West Ham will likely be in for Mateta if he encourages interest, as is rumoured to be the case.
But few would be bigger than the Hammers while also being able to guarantee he would be the starting striker week in, week out.
That will be key for Mateta with the World Cup at the end of the season after he recently broke into the France squad.
The Hammers see Mateta as a ready-made Premier League goalscorer who would immediately upgrade their entire frontline.
A top West Ham transfer source has told Hammers News that the club are ‘keeping tabs on the Mateta situation’ and ‘making enquiries’ to get a taste of whether a deal with both Palace and the player would be possible.
West Ham have doubts over Mateta affordability in January
The West Ham source told Hammers News there are ‘doubts in the boardroom that the club could afford Mateta in January’.
Hammers News understands one major complication West Ham would face is the World Cup at the end of the campaign and Mateta’s own stance.
With only a year left on his contract after the World Cup ends next July, Mateta is aware he would be in a strong position if he had a good tournament.
That would in turn almost certainly rule West Ham out of the running, even if the Hammers do manage to stay up this season.
Another Premier League striker could be a more realistic option for Nuno, though.
Musa
