Nottingham Forest make £35m bid for Jean-Philippe Mateta amid Palace feud

Nottingham Forest have stunned the Premier League with a bold £35m bid to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, igniting what promises to be one of the most controversial transfer stories of the winter window.

According to a report from The Athletic, Forest have officially made a £35m bid to bring the in-form Frenchman to the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest make a surprise offer for Jean-Philippe Mateta

The move signals serious intent from Forest, who are looking to strengthen their attacking line in the second half of the season.

Despite the importance of the offer, the report suggests that personal terms will not pose an obstacle, with the 28-year-old said to be open to a switch.

However, negotiations between the clubs remain the sticking point. The report notes that the palace made it clear that they would not be intimidated into selling; The Eagles have set a strict valuation of around £40m and have insisted they will only agree to a move if they can secure an immediate replacement.

The report also adds that the south London club are already exploring contingency plans, with Wolves’ Jurgen Strand-Larsen identified as a primary target.

Which makes the potential transfer controversial

What makes these negotiations particularly controversial is the recent feud between the club’s hierarchy.

Relations have been frosty, to say the least, after a bitter dispute off the field last season.

Tensions have risen after Nottingham Forest lodged a formal complaint with UEFA over Crystal Palace breaching multi-club ownership rules.

The fallout from this investigation ultimately cost the club their place in the Europa League, with Nottingham Forest taking their place.

It remains to be seen whether Palace are willing to do business with the club responsible for their exile in the Europa League.

Crystal Palace cannot afford to lose Mateta midway through the season

It’s been a tough month for Crystal Palace. The Frenchman is Glasner’s best striker since last season.

He scored an incredible 17 goals in 46 games last season, helping Palace achieve a historic season.

This season, he has continued his form by scoring 10 goals so far, bringing his total tally for the club to 56 goals and 13 assists.

Palace already sold Marc Guehi to Manchester City this month, prompting a backlash from the manager himself, who publicly criticized the club’s hierarchy for abandoning the team.

The aftermath of the transfer saw Glasner announce that he would leave the club at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that Adam Wharton is closing in on a move to Liverpool as well.

With Mateta’s future at the club also uncertain amid interest from Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, things are not looking too bright from Steve Parish’s side.