Jean-Philippe Mateta rejects Crystal Palace talks as he weighs contract future

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is not expected to sign a new contract at Selhurst Park, with Standard Sport reporting that negotiations have stalled and no talks have taken place since the summer. The French forward, who is entering the final 18 months of his deal, is holding out for a significant wage increase amid growing ambition to secure a move to a Champions League club.

Mateta’s current contract runs until June 2027 after Palace triggered a one-year extension last December, but the club now face a pivotal decision as the January window approaches. The 28-year-old is enjoying one of the most productive spells of his career, scoring nine goals and registering two assists in 22 matches this season, and his form has earned him international recognition with two goals in three appearances for France.

The forward has been open about his aspirations. Speaking in October, he outlined the motivation behind his thinking:

“It’s natural — every ambitious player wants to reach that milestone. When you’re in the national team and around you are players who play in the Champions League and win the biggest trophies.”

Palace manager Oliver Glasner, whose own contract expires next summer, is also applying pressure on the club hierarchy, publicly criticising the lack of backing in the last transfer window. That tone — pointed, urgent, uncompromising — casts Mateta’s situation in an even sharper light.

Mateta’s desire for improved wages — he currently earns £50,000 per week — is at the core of the stalemate. Palace remain reluctant to meet his demands, while the player evaluates the possibility of a major move during what is likely the peak of his career.

The Frenchman has been central to Palace’s attack for two-and-a-half seasons, delivering consistent output even during periods of squad instability. His record and rising reputation make him an attractive short-term January target and a long-term summer opportunity for top-level clubs, particularly those in Europe’s top four leagues.

With the striker’s camp signalling no urgency to commit, Palace must now weigh up whether to cash in, extend the stalemate until the summer, or risk entering the final year of his deal without protection.

Mateta’s contract situation is unfolding amid rising tension between Oliver Glasner and the Palace hierarchy. After the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, the Austrian made clear that the club’s summer transfer strategy had not met expectations.

“We all would have wished a little bit more backing,” Glasner said. “Patience is not something for me — we want to succeed, and we want to win every competition.”

He continued with one of his most pointed comments since arriving in England:

“I think in January, you just correct what you missed in the summer. We will have played 34 games by January 10. That’s 60, 65 percent of the season.”

For a manager demanding upward momentum, the idea of losing his most reliable striker without an immediate replacement would intensify the pressure on Crystal Palace’s board.

Having followed Palace closely over the past two seasons, this contract decision feels like a turning point. The club have historically hesitated to sell core players unless the deal suits them perfectly, but Mateta’s desire for both elite football and improved salary suggests a crossroads rather than negotiation leverage.

Although some supporters may hope Palace can convince him to stay, it’s worth questioning whether the club can match his ambitions on and off the pitch. With Glasner demanding immediate progress and Palace still battling inconsistencies, Mateta may not see the Champions League pathway he craves.

From my experience covering players who break into elite national teams, this stage of a career often triggers decisive changes. Once a player tastes international football — especially in a squad full of Champions League winners — expectations shift. Mateta appears to be experiencing exactly that.

For Palace, failing to resolve his future cleanly could derail both their January planning and their summer rebuild.

If Mateta does leave — whether in January or July — Palace must recruit aggressively. Glasner’s system relies heavily on a central striker who can press, combine and finish, and suitable replacements are difficult to land mid-season. The timing of this contract impasse complicates an already high-pressure winter window.

Palace must decide whether to reopen negotiations immediately, entertain January interest, or wait until summer — all while trying to maintain form in a demanding winter schedule.

👉 Should Palace sell Mateta while his value is high, or push harder to keep their top striker beyond 2027?