Villa and Palace Consider Attacker Swap Deal as Mateta Interest Grows

Aston Villa have identified Jean-Philippe Mateta as a potential solution up front, while Crystal Palace are keen on Evann Guessand.

Interest is moving in both directions as each club assesses its attacking options, and it could lead to an interesting January transfer dynamic.

Villa have identified Mateta as a potential solution up front, while Palace continue to track Guessand, a player they tried to sign last summer before his move to the Midlands.

Aston Villa interest in Jean-Philippe Mateta

Aston Villa are exploring ways to strengthen their forward line as Unai Emery looks to improve their options in attack.

Mateta is one of several names under consideration, alongside Tammy Abraham, as Villa weigh up short-term impact against long-term value.

Mateta has been a constant presence for Palace this season, starting all 22 Premier League games and scoring eight goals.

The French forward’s contract runs until June 2027 after Palace triggered a one-year extension in December.

That security has allowed the club to set a high valuation, believed to be around £35 million, which has already cooled interest elsewhere.

Why Palace value Mateta so highly

Mateta’s goalscoring rate with Palace speaks for itself.

He scored 17 goals in 47 appearances last season as the club lifted the FA Cup, following that with 19 goals in 39 matches during the 2023–24 campaign.

In total, since arriving at Selhurst Park, Mateta has scored 56 goals in 185 games.

With Palace already losing captain Marc Guehi to this window, there is little appetite to part with another core player unless the terms are right.

Juventus tested Palace’s resolve for Mateta earlier this month but have since stepped away.

Concerns over the fee, Mateta’s age (28) and potential agent costs meant the Italian club chose not to pursue a deal.

Crystal Palace interest in Evann Guessand

While Villa look at Mateta, Palace are closely monitoring Guessand’s situation.

The south London club were keen on the forward last summer and remain admirers, particularly as they assess longer-term attacking options.

Guessand has found it difficult to settle in the Premier League since joining Villa from Nantes. He is yet to score in 13 league appearances, though he has shown flashes in Europe with two goals in six Europa League games.

At 24, Guessand fits the profile Palace often target, younger, athletic and capable of developing within a defined system.

Any move would depend on Villa’s wider transfer plans and whether they see Guessand as expendable.

Mateta and Guessand swap deal

There is no formal proposal on the table, but the mutual interest opens the door to a potential swap deal of sorts.

Palace’s high valuation of Mateta means it would probably be a part exchange with Guessand as well as a fee, but Villa are certainly keen on providing competition for Ollie Watkins.

For Palace, replacing Mateta’s output would be difficult in the short term, especially with Oliver Glasner set to leave at the end of the season.

For Villa, the pressure is on to add goals as they push on for a Champions League spot and to win the Europa League.

As things stand, this is a situation to watch rather than a deal nearing completion. But with both clubs active and clear in what they want, the coming weeks should bring movement on both fronts.