Nottingham Forest ready to rival Man United for the Crystal Palace striker who tried to cancel his own contract

Nottingham Forest are ready to take on Manchester United for Jean-Philippe Mateta, and the Crystal Palace striker looks increasingly likely to leave Selhurst Park in January.

According to TEAMtalk, Forest are assessing a move for the 29-year-old as Oliver Glasner looks to add to his attack, while Manchester United remain firmly interested in a proven Premier League centre-forward. Everton are watching the situation closely and Tottenham have been linked as well, so this is quickly becoming a crowded race.

The timing is awkward for Palace. Mateta was sent off after only 13 minutes of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Tottenham, and the red card rules him out of the next three games against Liverpool, Coventry and Hull. He will have served that ban well before the window opens, so it shouldn’t put anyone off, but Pierre Sage now loses him for three games before he might lose him for good.

Why does Mateta want to leave Crystal Palace?

This has been building for a long time. Mateta has made little secret of wanting out over the past couple of years, and his frustration grew once it became clear Palace wouldn’t give him the improved contract he wanted.

A move to AC Milan collapsed last January after a knee issue emerged in his medical. Then, in the summer, he took his case to FIFA in an attempt to have the final year of his deal cancelled. That year was a club option, and Palace successfully defended their position.

So he stayed, but only for now. His contract expires at the end of this season, he isn’t expected to sign a new one, and his representatives are working hard to find a destination. January is the last chance for Palace to get money for him, and with his age and contract as they are, the fee isn’t expected to be particularly high.

Why are Forest suddenly in the race?

Goals, or the lack of them. Forest spent heavily to bring in Liam Delap from Chelsea in the summer, yet Glasner still believes he needs more firepower. They scored just six times in their opening eight Premier League matches, then drew another blank in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Brentford. Six goals from nine games is a poor return for any side, let alone one that has spent like that.

There is also the obvious connection. Glasner managed Mateta during his successful spell in charge at Selhurst Park, and that relationship could prove crucial if this becomes a straight fight. A player tends to listen when a coach who has already got the best out of him comes calling.

Could Man United still land him?

They are still described as serious contenders, and their need hasn’t changed. Benjamin Šeško’s persistent shin problem will keep him out until at least January, and United lack an established alternative. Joshua Zirkzee is unfancied and his future is up in the air.

Their other option looks to have gone as well. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the name in the frame earlier this week, but he is now reported to be set to sign a new contract at Leeds. United’s priority is a striker who already knows this league, and reports suggest Mateta would be keen on a move to Old Trafford.

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s record explains the queue

The numbers are the whole sales pitch. Mateta has 63 goals in 206 competitive appearances for Palace, and he has reached double figures in each of the last three Premier League seasons, scoring 42 league goals across them.

There is also strong interest from clubs across Europe and the Saudi Pro League, but he is keen to stay in the Premier League. That preference narrows things down considerably, and it hands the English clubs a clear run if they move quickly.

Can Palace afford to sell?

This is the part that won’t be getting as much attention. Palace are 18th on seven points after nine games, and Jorgen Strand Larsen has been nursing an ankle problem. Sage can hardly be relaxed about letting a striker with that record go while his side sit in the bottom three.

Palace do remain in control of the contractual position. The catch is that holding on to him means losing a want-away striker for nothing next summer, and that is a hard call for any club to make.

Verdict: Mateta to Forest makes more sense than it first sounds

On pure pull, United should win this. They have the name and Champions League football, and they have the bigger hole to fill while Šeško is out.

But I wouldn’t write Forest off. Mateta would be joining a manager who knows him, at a club desperate for goals, and at 29 he won’t want to spend his next move behind Šeško once the Slovenian is fit. Palace’s price looks like being reasonable, so the decision may well come down to where he will actually play. If Glasner can promise him that, United have a real fight on their hands.