Nottingham Forest are now odds-on favourites (8/11) to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace.
The France international striker has been pushing for a move away from the south London club this January transfer window.
Forest, Aston Villa (6/4) and Juventus (10/3) were all reportedly interested in signing the striker valued by Palace at around £40million.
However, as the January window enters its final days, Sean Dyche’s side have moved aggressively to secure their target.
Bookmakers have now slashed the odds on a move to the City Ground following reports that personal terms have already been agreed in principle.
Villa Turn To Abraham Instead
Forest’s pursuit of Mateta was given a welcome boost when Aston Villa confirmed the signing of Tammy Abraham.
Abraham made the move from Turkish side Besiktas having previously played for Villa in the Championship.
And while Villa would always love to add more attacking riches to their squad, PSR rules look set to prevent that from happening.
Dealing With The Enemy
The “needle” between Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace has reached a boiling point.
Following the summer controversy where Forest replaced Palace in the Europa League due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership rulings, a direct raid for Palace’s talisman would be a massive statement of intent from Evangelos Marinakis.
Forest are desperate for a reliable goalscorer to complement Taiwo Awoniyi and new loan signing Lorenzo Lucca.
With Chris Wood currently sidelined, Mateta is viewed as the “Premier League proven” solution Dyche needs to pull away from the bottom three.
“He’s been clear with the club. He wants to go and find a solution in this January window,” says transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Forest’s proposal is currently the only concrete permanent offer on the table that nears Palace’s valuation.
Crystal Palace Dilemma: Sell or Hold?
From a betting perspective, the risk lies in Palace’s refusal to sell without a replacement.
Oliver Glasner will leave Selhurst Park at the end of the season and is reportedly furious at the prospect of losing his main striker amidst an 11-game winless run.
Mateta has bagged 8 goals in 23 appearances this season. While his form has dipped slightly, netting only twice in his last 11.
For Palace, cashing in now on a 28-year-old with 18 months left on his contract makes financial sense, provided they can lure a replacement.
Strategic Move for World Cup Squad
Mateta’s desire to move is fuelled by his ambition to break into Didier Deschamp’s France squad for the 2026 World Cup.
While pundits like Clinton Morrison have questioned the logic of moving to a club currently 17th in the table, the prospect of guaranteed starts and Europa League football at the City Ground appears to have swayed the striker.
With the two sides set to face each other this Sunday at the City Ground, there is a very real possibility that Mateta could be lining up in a red shirt against his former teammates.
