Jean-Philippe Mateta reportedly agrees terms with AC Milan

AC Milan have reportedly agreed personal terms with Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The 28-year-old France international was the subject of a £35m bid from Nottingham Forest earlier this week, but is understood to favour a move to Serie A. 

Palace and Milan have reportedly reached an agreement in principle over a loan deal for Mateta, whose contract has another 18 months left to run, pending a permanent transfer this summer, also for £35m. 

With the Premier League club considering their position, Oliver Glasner, the Palace manager, confirmed on Friday afternoon that Mateta would not be involved against Forest at the City Ground this weekend. The Austrian added that the decision was not connected to a potential transfer.

Jean-Philippe Mateta omitted from Crystal Palace squad amid rumoured Milan move

“I can confirm JP will not be in the matchday squad, but it is nothing to do right now with transfers,” said Glasner.

“He is not in the [right] place. To play makes no sense. We have to protect the team and I have to protect him. That is why he will not travel with us to Nottingham.”

Palace have previously indicated that Mateta will only be sold in the current transfer window if their valuation is met and a suitable replacement can be acquired. 

With Milan’s offer fulfilling the first of those criteria, the club are reportedly in advanced talks with Wolverhampton Wanderers over a £45m move for Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Should Milan agree a deal for Mateta, the Frenchman will become the second forward signed by the Rossoneri this month, following the arrival of Germany international Niclas Füllkrug on loan from West Ham. 

With Santiago Giménez also nearing a Serie A return following an ankle injury suffered in late Octobebr, the addition of Mateta would be a timely boost for Milan in their pursuit of Scudetto. 

Massimiliano Allegri’s side currently trail league leaders Internazionale by five points, with the club’s top scorer Christian Pulisic under scrutiny after failing to find the net since the turn of the year.

Oliver Glasner: ‘There is so much speculation’

Juventus and Aston Villa were also credited with interest in Mateta earlier this month, with Glasner forced to deny that the striker has submitted a transfer request. The Frenchman has scored eight goals in 23 league appearances for Palace this season. 

“There is so much noise, so much speculation, so many things going on,” Glasner said on Friday.

“We need every single player at their best and JP isn’t at his best right now with all the noise that happens. It can be football noise, but if someone has private issues where they can’t focus on football, then it makes no sense to play. 

“He can’t help the team and perform at his top level. We decided it is better not to play him.”