Serie A team to hold talks with Crystal Palace over £10million man ahead of potential transfer

Newly promoted Serie A side Genoa are keen on signing Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and will look to step up discussions in the coming weeks, according to a report from L’Équipe.

The French forward is reportedly open to the move having failed to nail down a starting spot in south London since sealing a permanent deal to Palace from Mainz in 2021.

The expectation was that Mateta would replace Christian Benteke, but he’s fallen down the pecking order, with both former boss Patrick Vieira and Roy Hodgson preferring to start him from the bench in most games.

Last season he played in 29 league games but only six were starts and bagged two goals including a dramatic late winner against now-relegated Leicester City. Sources say the striker is desperate for regular playing time and is open to interest from Genoa.

Palace bounced back from a challenging start to the year after replacing Patrick Vieira with the experienced Roy Hodgson, but goal contributions from their strikers continue to be a challenge.

Fellow French forward Odsonne Edouard also got five goals from 35 appearances last season while Jordan Ayew could only manage four from 38 games.

Midfielder Eberechi Eze was the club’s top scorer and his brilliant form in the second half of the season saw him rewarded with his first England cap.

Palace are still without a substantive head coach following the expiration of Hodgson’s short-term contract but have been linked with former Chelsea manager Graham Potter even though Hodgson is favourite to return when the season starts.