Aston Villa are reportedly interested in signing Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta amid ongoing uncertainty over the French forward's future at Selhurst Park.
As per BBC, Villa has detected the 29-year-old as a possible replacement for Ollie Watkins, whose future remains uncertain amid reported interest from Saudi club Al-Hilal.
Mateta’s Palace future remains uncertain
Mateta has only one year left on his Crystal Palace contract; however, his relationship with the club seems worse.
The striker has unsuccessfully challenged the validity of his deal via an independent Premier League tribunal and a FIFA hearing.
With his contract situation unresolved, Palace could be forced to consider offers for Mateta ahead of the summer transfer deadline.
Ending the contract at this stage also represents the club's final opportunity to receive a significant transfer fee for the forward before he potentially enters the final months of his deal.
Aston Villa monitoring situation
Aston Villa's interest comes as they prepare for the possibility of losing Watkins. The England striker has been closely associated with a move to Saudi Arabia, leaving Villa possibly requiring another experienced forward.
Mateta could fit that role after establishing himself as an important attacking player at Palace.
His physical presence and Premier League experience make him an attractive option for Unai Emery's side.
Previously, the Frenchman came close to leaving Palace during the January transfer window, when he was set to join AC Milan. However, the move collapsed after he failed his medical.
With the summer deadline approaching, Mateta could now become a highly recognised name involved in the final stages of the Premier League transfer window, particularly if Villa decide to make a formal approach for the striker.
