Jean-Philippe Mateta is not expected to be in the Crystal Palace squad this Sunday as AC Milan push to agree a deal for the France international.
Milan have been Mateta’s preference, but they have so far struggled to meet Palace’s £35m asking price.
The 28-year old has made it clear he wishes to join the Italian giants and has agreed personal terms and the Italians are trying to structure an offer to satisfy Palace.
Mateta is ready to leave and is focused on going to Italy rather than Nottingham Forest who Palace face on Sunday.
Milan have been trying to offload Christopher Nkunku to Roma to make room for Mateta.
Oliver Glasner said: ‘It’s nothing to do with the transfers, he is just not in the right place and doesn’t feel in the right place to play.
Jean-Philippe Mateta is not expected to play against Nottingham Forest amid AC Milan interest
The 28-year-old wishes to join Milan but the Italian side have not yet been willing to pay £35m
‘We have to protect the team and protect him, he will not travel with us to Nottingham.’
Daily Mail Sport reported yesterday that Palace’s interest in Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen had cooled, in a move that could have further ramifications for Mateta.
The Eagles had discussed the move with Wolves and the clubs appeared to have settled on a deal worth at least £45million.
Yet Daily Mail Sport understands the Palace hierarchy have never been entirely convinced about the deal and now appear to have gone cold – at least for now.
Whether this is a move designed to lower the price for Strand Larsen remains to be seen.
But if Palace do not proceed with the Strand Larsen deal, it may affect their willingness to sanction Mateta’s departure.
