Aston Villa sent clear transfer answer as Crystal Palace work on improved deal for 16-goal striker

Aston Villa are one of the teams looking at Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, but he is not for sale according to a report in the Evening Standard. Mateta is enjoying the best period of his career, having bagged 16 league goals as Palace jumped from 16th to finish an impressive 10th on the league table.

LondonWorld has been told that the French striker's camp is looking for a deal, but he currently has three years left on his contract, which has made the club not in a hurry to offer him new terms. His remarkable turn in form came in the second half of the season when he could not stop scoring, and now clubs in France and Germany are looking at him.

According to the Evening Standard, Palace are looking to offer him a new deal to protect their asset as he grows into a proper Premier League finisher. The report further adds that the striker is not for sale as he is a key member of the side new boss Oliver Glasner is building.

Villa will play in the Champions League this season, with manager Unai Emery in the market for a striker who will improve competition to lead forward Ollie Watkins. It remains to be seen if they will return for Mateta or turn their attention elsewhere, but LondonWorld also understands that the Eagles are willing to listen to offers for striker Jordan Ayew.

The former Swansea striker saw his game time drastically reduced at the tail end of last season, and Leicester are reportedly looking at him. Ayew’s situation has been further complicated by the imminent arrival of former Watford forward Ismaila Sarr, who has undergone his medical at the club and is just waiting to be announced.

Palace will also hope to keep Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi at the club, even though both are attracting huge interest from clubs higher up the Premier League table.