Man Utd in talks with €30m striker as priority January signing revealed

29 Sept 2026 17:32 BST | 2 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

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Manchester United want to sign a new striker during the upcoming January transfer window and they are reportedly in contact with the representatives of Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta.

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Michael Carrick’s side opted against bolstering their attacking options over the summer, but they are keen to land an upgrade on Joshua Zirkzee next year, with Mateta regarded as one of their top targets.

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€26.3M - €32.1M

The France international has been linked with an Old Trafford switch for over a year and TEAMtalk claim that his camp are now in talks with the Man Utd hierarchy regarding a possible winter transfer, with Jason Wilcox understood to be a huge admirer of the 29-year-old.

It’s reported that Man Utd view the signing of a new centre forward as a “priority” for January amid Benjamin Sesko’s recent injury woes and Zirkzee’s underwhelming form since his arrival from Bologna.

Mateta is seen as an ideal candidate to challenge Sesko for a starting berth at Old Trafford and he is open to a Crystal Palace exit, having been desperate to leave the club last January before failing his medical at AC Milan.

The Frenchman is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, but he is expected to return to action following the international break and Man Utd are expected to ramp up conversations over a possible winter transfer during the upcoming weeks, with Palace potentially set to be amenable to a sale.

Mateta will become a free agent next summer and January therefore represents the final chance Palace have to earn a transfer fee before he leaves upon the expiration of his contract in July.

© IMAGO - Jean-Philippe Mateta, Crystal Palace

Joshua Zirkzee to leave Man Utd?

Man Utd’s interest in Mateta comes amid the club’s desire to offload the aforementioned Zirkzee during the January window.

The Dutchman was unable to secure an Old Trafford this summer, but the Red Devils remain eager to sell him and they are actively looking to find a suitor, with several clubs in Italy understood to be admirers.

Crystal Palace are also keeping tabs on Zirkzee’s situation and they could look to finalise a swap deal if Man Utd intensify their pursuit of Mateta’s signature.

However, a move to Serie A appears to be Zirkzee’s most likely next step, with a host of top Italian clubs eager to bring him back to the country following his eye-catching spell with Bologna.