The "Mateta Boom" may be heading to Serie A. On Thursday, January 15, 2026, reports from Sky Sport Italia and transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio confirmed that Juventus have officially inquired about signing Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta during the current January window.
With Luciano Spalletti now at the helm in Turin, the Bianconeri are searching for a physical presence to lead their line, and the French international has emerged as their primary target.
The Details: A Mid-Season Tug-of-War
Juventus are currently dealing with a shortage of traditional No. 9s following a serious injury to Dusan Vlahovic. While Palace are open to discussions, the two clubs remain apart on their valuation.
The Palace Price Tag: Crystal Palace have reportedly quoted Juventus a fee of €30–35 million (£25m–£30m) to sanction a move this month.
The Juventus Stance: Juve are reportedly testing the waters for an initial loan deal with an option to buy, as they look to balance their books for the 2026 fiscal year.
The Premier League Rivalry: Manchester United are also believed to be monitoring the situation, viewing Mateta as a potential "Plan B" if their pursuit of other targets stalls.
Gianluca Di Marzio: "Juventus want a striker with physical presence and Premier League intensity. Mateta fits the profile perfectly. Talks are in the early stages, but the player is open to the move."
Tactical Analysis: Why Mateta?
Aerial Dominance: With Juventus relying heavily on wingers like Francisco Conceição and Kenan Yildiz, Mateta’s ability to win aerial duels (ranking in the top 10% for PL forwards) is a major draw.
Contract Leverage: With his contract set to enter its final year this summer, Palace are under pressure to sell now or risk his value dropping significantly.
Vlahovic Insurance: With Dusan Vlahovic’s future uncertain and his contract expiring in 2027, Mateta is viewed as a "long-term" replacement rather than just a stop-gap.
The Verdict: Losing Mateta in the middle of a season would be a massive blow for Oliver Glasner’s side, but a €35m injection might allow Palace to reinvest in a younger profile like Cherif or Adam Wharton’s midfield support. For Juventus, Mateta represents a sensible, high-impact signing for a team currently sitting 3rd in Serie A.