Crystal Palace reject Atalanta bid for fan favourite Mateta

Reports in the UK indicate that Crystal Palace have turned down a bid from Atalanta for fan-favourite Jean-Philippe Mateta as La Dea continue their search for a Meteo Retegui replacement.

Atalanta see Mateta bid rejected by Crystal Palace

According to reports from BBC Sport, Crystal Palace have rejected a €34.7m (£30m) bid from Atalanta for 2025 FA Cup winner Mateta, who has averaged 15 Premier League goals across the last two seasons, and has netted 41 from 104 appearances across all competitions over the last two years.

The 28-year-old had his contract extension clause triggered in December, which means that he now has two years remaining on his current deal, which is set to expire in the summer of 2027.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 17: Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace reacts with the FA Cup Trophy with a member of the crowd after the team’s victory in the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

As per the BBC, it remains to be seen whether Crystal Palace will entertain improved bids for Mateta this summer.

Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz, Lecce’s Nikola Krstovic and Genk’s Tolu Arokodare have been mentioned as potential alternatives for Atalanta this summer.

Atalanta are actively seeking a new centre-forward after agreeing to sell Mateo Retegui, the 2024-25 Serie A top goalscorer, to Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah for a staggering €65m fee earlier this summer.

Mateo Retegui joins Al Qadsiah

La Dea, who have also had a change in head coaches this summer, still have Gianluca Scamacca on the club’s books, but he is recovering from a pair of injuries that kept him out of action for the vast majority of the 2024-25 campaign.

Ademola Lookman, meanwhile, could also follow Retegui in leaving Atalanta, as he remains the subject of an approach from Inter.