Tottenham are preparing a transfer hijack as they look to Jean-Philippe Mateta to bolster their frontline.
The wantaway Crystal Palace striker has been the subject of a £35million offer from relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.
Mateta, 28, has made it clear to Palace chiefs that he wants to leave, and that has coincided with a worrying drop in form.
The Frenchman has scored just once in his last 10 matches, with Palace also without a win in 11 games.
Tottenham Eye Mateta Deal
Reports claim that Spurs are preparing a late offer for Mateta as boss Thomas Frank looks to improve his squad with his job under threat.
Frank heads into Wednesday’s Champions League tie with Eintracht Frankfurt as the second favourite behind Arne Slot in the Premier League sack race.
Spurs’ European form, in which they will secure a top-eight finish with a victory, could keep him in the dugout for now.
They currently sit 14th in the Premier League and are only eight points adrift of the drop zone after West Ham’s victory over Sunderland at the weekend.
Spurs have lacked a goalscorer all season, and Richarlison currently leads the charts with seven, three ahead of defenders Micky van de Ven and Christian Romero.
Dominic Solanke has only just recovered from an injury that has kept him out of the entire campaign.
Kolo Muani Set To Leave Spurs
The pursuit of Mateta comes on the back of talks over striker Kolo Muani’s immediate future in North London.
Spurs loaned the striker from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, but his time at the club has been underwhelming to say the least.
The 27-year-old, who cost PSG €80million in the summer of 2023, has failed to score in the top flight this season.
Reports claim that talks are ongoing between PSG and Spurs over a recall, which could then see Muani spend the second half of the season on loan with Juventus.
Muani spent time at the Old Lady on loan a year ago, scoring eight league goals across 16 appearances.
Mateta and Oliver Glasner at Tottenham?
In what could be a twist of fate, Mateta could soon be playing under manager Oliver Glasner once again at Tottenham.
Glasner will also leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season after opting against renewing his contract.
The Austrian is also favourite to become the next Tottenham manager, if the club decide to axe Frank.
Glasner was being lined up for the Manchester United position but their dreadful run of results has deterred chiefs at Old Trafford.
