Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta will miss Sunday’s trip to Nottingham Forest, with manager Oliver Glasner admitting the Frenchman is “not in the right place” to play amid intense transfer speculation.
AC Milan have stepped up interest in the 28-year-old. Palace recently rejected a £35m bid from Forest, holding out for £40m.
Glasner stated that “football noise” and speculation have left Mateta unable to perform at his best. “To play makes no sense. We have to protect the team,” Glasner added.
Palace have signed Aston Villa’s Evann Guessand on loan, but they are still reeling from the sale of captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City.
A £50m move for Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen is currently in doubt as Palace consider walking away from the deal.
Mateta has scored eight goals this season but requested a move earlier in January.
With the transfer window closing Monday, it remains unclear if he has played his final game for the 15th-placed Eagles.
