Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is reportedly considering undergoing knee surgery after failing to join AC Milan.
Mateta’s move to the Italian giants was scrapped on deadline day after a medical check revealed he had a problem with his knee, but it is believed there is no bad blood between the two clubs as the transfer was called off.
Milan were aware of the issue before negotiations with Palace began, with his medical records sent to Italy on Saturday ahead of final negotiations.
The Serie A club also sent a club doctor to London for further investigation and ultimately withdrew from the £26m contract.
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Juventus also have a long-term interest in the France international and were considering a move for Mateta after Milan withdrew their interest, but they also held off on making a formal offer due to a knee problem.
Mateta, who has had a knee problem since November, has been playing through pain for months and Palace have been dealing with it game by game.
However, the 28-year-old will now speak with a knee specialist before deciding whether to undergo surgery.
Mateta expected to leave Palace this summer
Mateta hopes to be included in France’s World Cup squad this summer, so the timing of the surgery will be an important decision.
Discussions will be held with the Palace and surgeon to determine the best course of action.
His options include continuing to play through the pain, managing the injury, or undergoing immediate surgery, which could keep him sidelined for months.
Devastated Mateta expected to leave Palace this summer
Mateta has been suffering from a knee injury since November.
Whatever the decision regarding surgery, Mateta, who has 18 months remaining on his Palace contract, is expected to leave Selhurst Park this summer.
Sky Sports News understands he is devastated, disappointed and upset after failing to leave the club over the winter.
He unfollowed Palace on Instagram over the weekend, posting a disgusted emoji.
It remains to be seen whether he is in the right mental state to play for Oliver Glassner’s side, who face rivals Brighton on Sunday, which will be broadcast on Sky Sports.
If Mateta is unable to take part in the trip to the south coast, Palace could hand the debut to Jorgen Strand Larsen, who signed a club record deal after the striker joined from Wolves for £48m on deadline day.
Why MacNeil’s contract with Palace collapsed
Mateta and Dwight McNeil saw their transfers fall apart on deadline day
Palace were looking to make a two-game deal on deadline day, but Dwight McNeil’s move from Everton fell through.
McNeil’s partner has accused Palace of “disrupting” the winger’s mental health after a loan move with a £20 million buyout obligation fell through in the final stages.
“(Getting something) was ripped away from you at the last moment with no explanation,” Megan Sharpley wrote on Instagram.
“It’s indescribably painful to be left with nothing but silence, no phone calls, no communication, just confusion and heartbreak.”
McNeil also said of the failed transfer: “I’m still left in the dark.
“What I know and what I have been supported is that I am an Everton player and I will use this as motivation.”
From a Palace perspective, Sky Sports News understands that they have a huge amount of sympathy for McNeil because of what happened on deadline day.
The initial price of £10m for the wide player who can also play as a left wing-back was attractive, but after negotiations with Everton it became clear that conditions such as his remaining in the club had come into play and his contract would be closer to £20m.
At £20 million, there was a risk that a deal would not be completed for a player who was not playing regularly, something McNeil was clear about.
By 3 p.m., a deal was still far from reached, and a deal was finally reached at 6:15 p.m., just 45 minutes before the 7 p.m. deadline.
However, there was little time left for completion due to complications surrounding the payment structure.
From Everton’s point of view, they feel they completed the paperwork on time, but Palace were unable to complete it and withdrew at the 11th hour.
Everton are unhappy with the impact this has had on McNeil and his family.
Guesand pushes forward with transfer to Eagles, makes Palace debut
New Palace signing Evan Guesand is set to make his Eagles debut against Brighton on Sunday.
Sky Sports News understands that the Ivory Coast international was instrumental in making his move from Aston Villa a reality.
Palace were one of a number of clubs interested in signing the versatile forward last summer before Villa snapped up him in a deal worth up to £28m.
The south London club were not keen on signing the former Nice forward in January, considering he only joined Unai Emery’s side in August.
Evan Guesand, who signed for New Palace, struggled during his six months at Aston Villa.
However, following a poor start to the season at Villa, Gessande approached Crystal Palace through his agent and expressed his interest in joining the club. Impressed by the player’s desire to join, Palace have begun talks with Villa in a bid to accelerate the move.
Palace believe the 24-year-old can make an impact in the forward position across different playing systems.
Last Friday, Palace signed Gesand on a loan deal until the end of the season, with an obligation to buy him for £28m if conditions are met.
Guesand scored just two goals in 21 appearances for Villa and started just six times in the Premier League. He has not yet achieved his top-level goals.
