Previously linked with Leeds United, 1. FSV Mainz 05 striker Jean-Philippe Mateta could be about to become a Premier League player, but not for Marcelo Bielsa's side.
The 23-year-old has reportedly landed in the UK ahead of finalising a move to Crystal Palace which will hugely bolster the Eagles' attack.
The South London club have a huge number of players out of contract this summer, and reinforcements were all but necessary this January window, which explains their speed in securing a deal for Mateta.
A former French youth international, the imposing forward was photographed at London's Biggin Hill Airport last night prior to undergoing medical examinations with Palace today.
French journalist for RMC Sport, Loic Tanzi tweeted the following:
"Jean-Philippe Mateta arrived last night at Biggin Hill Airport in south-east London. Medical check-up today. All-inclusive, The 18-month loan and the almost mandatory call option is expected to reach 18 million euros"
It appears the agreement with Roy Hodgson's side is an 18-month loan with an option-to-buy for £16 million. At that price, after a year-and-a-half try-before-you-buy period, Mateta could end up being brilliant value for the South London club.
However, that option is very likely to be taken up unless Mateta given the likely exodus of a number of first-team players at the end of 2020/21. That is, unless he ends up repeating Christian Benteke's barren goalscoring form over the past couple of seasons at Selhurst Park.
While Leeds are not explicitly targeting a striker - or any first-team additions for that matter - this window, a player with a handsome goals record available at that price surely must have been enticing.
The club jumped at the chance to add Raphinha in October for a very similar fee, believed to be around £17 million, but it seems as though they will miss out on Mateta.
Loan-to-buy deals are more common on the continent but given the financial problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic, they could be utilised more frequently by clubs looking to stagger payments.
In Palace's case, it appears to be a 'buy now, pay later' agreement, as Mainz - currently in the Bundesliga's relegation zone - would have been unlikely to agree to loaning out their star striker amidst a battle against the drop.
Leeds have already signed four players for £15 million or more this season: Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Raphinha and Rodrigo. This made it more unlikely that the club would pursue a similar type of deal for Mateta.
When Palace visit Elland Road on 6th February, the club's hierarchy will surely be hoping it is a deal they do not regret passing up.
