If Oliver Glasner were to sign as AC Milan’s new head coach, he would immediately ask the management to reunite him with a striker.
Calciomercato.com report that the centre-forward in question is none other than Jean-Philippe Mateta, someone that Milan fans should know well after what happened during the most recent winter transfer window.
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Mateta was first close to joining Juventus, then very close to Milan, but ultimately failed a medical due to knee problems. The Rossoneri had reached an agreement with Crystal Palace for around €35-36m, but then decided against completing the deal after the club doctor deemed his medical risky.
Milan after all?
The disappointment of the failed deal turned into motivation to have a strong second half of the season. After opting for conservative treatment and missing eight games in the Premier League and Conference League, he returned to scoring.
Mateta netted five times between mid-March and the end of the season, including the decisive goal in the final of the third European competition against Rayo Vallecano. He even convinced Didier Deschamps, who called him up (and not Kolo Muani and Nkunku) for the World Cup.
Oliver Glasner, barring any last-minute changes, will be the next coach of Milan. The club intend to formalise the agreement with the Austrian coach immediately after the appointment of the new sporting and/or technical director.
In the most recent talks between the parties, Glasner made a clear request to strengthen the attack: he wants to work with Mateta again. Together they made history at Palace, winning an FA Cup, a Community Shield and the Conference League.
Given his contract expiring in 2027 and the asking price, Milan have recently reconsidered the move. Crystal Palace’s demands remain high – exceeding €30m – but with a good chance of a discount. Mateta, who turns 29 in 19 days, feels ready for the move.
He had already enthusiastically agreed to join Milan in January, and there should be no issues with personal terms. Watch out for Juventus again though: they have Mateta as an alternative to Sorloth and Kolo Muani.
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