Juventus have stepped up their pursuit of Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta after their first approach was knocked back, according to a report from the Daily Mail.
The Serie A heavyweights are keen to add attacking reinforcements during the January window and have opened talks with Palace, but there remains a sizeable gap between the two clubs on valuation.
Juventus’ opening offer included a £1.7 million loan fee and a £24.5 million obligation to buy, which would be activated if they secure qualification for European competition. Although the structure appealed in terms of future guarantees, the overall figure of roughly £26.2 million was well short of Palace’s expectations.
The Eagles wasted little time in turning the proposal down. With Mateta under contract until 2027 and playing a key role in their attack, Palace are standing firm and will only consider a sale if their £35 million asking price is met.
Juventus are eager to find support for Dusan Vlahović, whose season has been disrupted by fitness problems, and Mateta has emerged as a leading candidate. His strength, aerial ability and versatility across the front line, combined with an improved scoring return in the Premier League over the last two campaigns, have made him an attractive option.
As they push for Champions League qualification, Juventus view Mateta as a player who could deliver an immediate impact while also offering longer-term value, but any deal will depend on whether they are prepared to meet Palace’s demands.