Man Utd reportedly eye Mateta to replace Zirkzee, if a striker leaves

📰 Manchester United are weighing up a January move for Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is in the final year of his Crystal Palace contract, according to reports. 📌 Key points 🗣️ TEAMtalk says Mateta is a top target for director of football Jason Wilcox. 📝 His Palace contract expires in summer 2027. ⚽ He has scored 42 Premier League goals over the last three seasons. 🔁 United could sell Joshua Zirkzee in January, according to reports. ⚠️ Football Insider says United will only move in January if another forward leaves. 📝 What happened 🗣️ TEAMtalk reported that Wilcox is a keen admirer of Mateta and sees him as a replacement for Zirkzee. The 29-year-old France international has 62 goals in 203 appearances for Palace and plenty of Premier League experience. 📝 Mateta is in the last year of his deal, so Palace risk losing him for nothing in summer 2027 and could accept a sale in January. Reports say the striker is open to a winter move. 🔁 Zirkzee has made four appearances this season without a start. Football Insider said United could sell him in January to make room for Mateta, but added a condition: United will only go for Mateta if they lose another forward. 🩹 TEAMtalk also cited the need for an experienced striker to support the injury-prone Benjamin Šeško. 📊 By the numbers • Mateta's Premier League goals over the last three seasons: 42 (16, 14, 12) • Palace career: 62 goals in 203 games • Zirkzee this season: 4 appearances, 0 starts 🔭 Why it matters Signing a proven striker cheaply as his contract runs down is an attractive idea for United. But it depends on Zirkzee leaving and on the injury situation up front, so whether it becomes a January deal is still uncertain.