Jean-Philippe Mateta has told Crystal Palace he wants to leave, adding to the growing sense of “abandonment” at the club.
The 28-year-old Frenchman, targetting Champions League football and a World Cup spot, has reportedly grown frustrated by broken promises regarding the club’s ambition and recruitment.
Palace is holding out for £40m, with Juventus and Aston Villa showing firm interest.
Mateta has 18 months left and has refused to sign an extension.
Manager Oliver Glasner has already announced his departure at the end of the season and recently slammed the board’s transfer strategy.
The timing is brutal for the Eagles. Following the recent £20m sale of captain Marc Guéhi to Manchester City and a shocking FA Cup exit to non-league Macclesfield, Palace is now winless in 10 matches.
Despite the record signing of Brennan Johnson, the potential loss of their leading striker leaves the club in a desperate scramble before the February 2nd deadline.
