Mateta

Aston Villa make a move for Jean-Philippe Mateta and Nicolas Jackson, Manchester United eye a promising defender, and Manchester City aren’t ready to give up on signing Enzo Fernandez.

Aston Villa have made an offer for Crystal Palace and France striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, 29, though it falls well below the London club’s valuation. (The Athletic – subscription required), external

Villa are also on the verge of agreeing a €70m (£59.8m) deal to sign Chelsea and Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, 25. (Foot Mercato – in French), external

Manchester United are considering making contact with VfB Stuttgart over a potential move for 20-year-old German defender Finn Jeltsch. (Caught Offside), external

Manchester City will submit a formal offer to Chelsea for Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, 25, before the end of the transfer window. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Tottenham could hijack Napoli’s pursuit of Marseille and Algeria winger Amine Gouiri, 26. (Corriere dello Sport – in Italian), external

Newcastle will submit a final offer worth €60m (£51m) for Lille and Belgium forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, 21. (Sacha Tavolieri), external

Leeds United and Crystal Palace have registered an interest in Everton and Ireland defender Jake O’Brien, 25. (Football insider), external

Nottingham Forest are in talks with Corinthians over a move for 20-year-old Brazil midfielder Andre. (Daily Mail – subscription only), external

Hull City have agreed a deal with Union Berlin to sign 21-year-old Ilyas Ansah. The deal for the German forward will total over €20m (£17.1m). (Fabrizio Romano), external

Indeed, sources suggest there is some sympathy with Mateta, even in the light of the contractual dispute, amid a feeling the striker could have been advised differently, though supporters on social media have been far less compassionate towards him.

Employment lawyer Libby Payne said: “It is possible to argue that the terms of the option are inherently unfair and therefore void, although the threshold for this is high and such challenges rarely succeed.”

So with just eight days left of the transfer window left, you cannot help but wonder if this once happy marriage is heading towards divorce.

There is said to be interest from rival clubs heading into the deadline; Aston Villa are among the clubs credited with an admiration for Mateta, with Ollie Watkins’ future in doubt at the midlands club.

Despite his efforts to prove otherwise, Mateta still has 10 months left on his contract.

That is significant for a number of reasons.

It means if Palace are to recoup any money in transfer fees for Mateta before he is eligible to sign a Bosman pre-contract with an overseas club in January, then this window provides their last opportunity to do so.

That fact will not be lost on those at Palace and there is a view from some at the club that they should look to sever ties in the coming days.

But with Mateta less than 12 months away from a free transfer, which would most likely be more financially lucrative for him than leaving for a fee this month, it would be understandable if the striker was not rushing out of the exit door.

Palace have attempted to renew Mateta’s contract over the past the 12 months but to no avail.

And while the option of an extension cannot be completely discounted, it seems inconceivable that Mateta would U-turn now given the lengths he has gone to to prove his current one is invalid.

Palace are likely to, at the very least, listen to offers for Mateta, who – by his actions – has indicated he views his future away from Selhurst Park.