Aston Villa have made an offer to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta this summer, in case Ollie Watkins departs for Al-Hilal, according to The Athletic.
Jean-Philippe Mateta
Club: Crystal Palace
Aston Villa have been interested in signing Mateta for several months and previously explored the possibility of bringing him in during the last winter transfer window.
The report added that Aston Villa are trying to narrow the gap in Crystal Palace's financial demands to release their striker.
These developments come amid uncertainty surrounding the future of 30-year-old Ollie Watkins, who has informed the club's management of his desire to leave Villa Park, alongside injuries to 28-year-old Tammy Abraham and 17-year-old Bryan Mbeumo.
Mateta is in a dispute over the final year of his contract with Crystal Palace, which expires in June 2027, and he wants to leave before the transfer window closes.
In turn, Crystal Palace's management is inclined to allow him to leave, especially as they see the coming days as the last opportunity to benefit financially from the transfer of their striker.
Days ago, reports stated that Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal had reached an agreement on personal terms with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins to join the Blues, paving the way for him to lead the attack in place of Karim Benzema.
Watkins has scored 108 goals and provided 47 assists in 278 appearances for Aston Villa, securing his place among the club's legends.
However, the 30-year-old English striker has only two years left on his contract, which forces Aston Villa to be flexible regarding the possibility of his future departure.
