Connect with us

Sports

Crystal Palace Eyeing Joaquin Panichelli as Jean-Philippe Mateta Replacement

Published

on


Crystal Palace are beginning to shape contingency plans in attack as uncertainty grows around Jean-Philippe Mateta’s long-term future at Selhurst Park. While there is no immediate rush to sell, Palace are understood to be realistic about the situation and are already exploring replacement options should the right offer arrive.

Mateta’s contract stance has forced Palace into forward planning, and recruitment discussions are now taking place behind the scenes. Rather than waiting for developments to accelerate, the club are actively assessing potential successors who could fit their system and offer long-term value.

One name has emerged as a leading candidate.

Palace identify Panichelli as Mateta successor

Joaquin Panichelli of RC Strasbourg REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

According to Alan Nixon, Crystal Palace are lining up Joaquín Panichelli as a potential replacement for Jean-Philippe Mateta. Fans have previously dubbed Panichelli as constantly being ‘on fire,’ with the way that he plays football. Nixon reports that Palace would be prepared to sell Mateta for around £50 million if a club such as Manchester United or another major suitor were to make a move. Mateta’s refusal to sign a new contract has opened the door to a possible sale, prompting Palace to seriously explore alternatives.

Panichelli, currently starring for Strasbourg, has impressed Palace scouts this season and is viewed internally as the club’s first-choice option to step in if Mateta departs.

Why Panichelli appeals to Palace recruitment staff

Oliver Glasner

Panichelli’s profile is understood to align closely with Palace’s recruitment strategy. The Argentine forward has enjoyed a strong campaign, and Palace are believed to be highly impressed by his development, physical presence and goal output.

Crucially, Panichelli, described as ‘one of the most exciting strikers in Europe’, is seen as a striker with both immediate impact potential and significant upside. Palace would be willing to “push the boat out” financially to secure his signature, reflecting how highly he is rated within the club’s hierarchy.

The appeal is not purely sporting. Panichelli’s age and trajectory mean he would retain strong resale value, an increasingly important factor in Palace’s long-term squad planning.

Strand Larsen interest acknowledged, but Panichelli leads

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Jorgen Strand Larsen

Palace have also discussed Jørgen Strand Larsen as part of their wider striker search. The Wolverhampton Wanderers forward is understood to be available and could represent a cheaper option in the short term.

However, Nixon reports that while Strand Larsen has support within Palace, Panichelli remains the preferred choice. The key difference lies in long-term value, with Strand Larsen viewed as offering considerably lower sell-on potential compared to the Strasbourg striker.

For now, Palace are focused on preparation rather than execution. Mateta has not yet been sold, but the club’s intentions are clear: if the right bid arrives, they want a replacement ready – and Panichelli is at the top of that list.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Man Utd Hold Talks to Seal £100m Double Deal for Tyler Adams and Andrey Santos

Published

on

By


Manchester United are stepping up their interest in strengthening their midfield options this summer, with Jason Wilcox leading the charge.

The Red Devils missed out on top targets Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes this summer, with the Englishman moving to Man City for £116m, while the Portuguese star joined Tottenham Hotspur for £85m too, after United refused to match those prices.

That has led the club to begin looking at potential alternative options, and it has now emerged that they are in talks about a £100m double deal for MIchael Carrick’s side.

Man Utd In Talks for £100m Double Midfield Signing

andrey santos

According to TEAMtalk, Man Utd are eyeing up a deal to sign Chelsea star Andrey Santos this summer after missing out on Fernandes and Anderson.

The Brazil international enjoyed a phenomenal season on loan with Strasbourg in 2024/25, but struggled for regular first-team minutes at Chelsea last season as he found himself behind Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and even Reece James in the midfield pecking order.

United have held talks with the player’s reps about a potential move to Old Trafford, and it’s understood that Chelsea are open to allowing him to leave for a fee of around £50m.

Alongside Santos, though, Man Utd are also eyeing another midfielder signing, and it has emerged that Bournemouth star Tyler Adams has emerged as a serious target for the club.

The American was brought up in talks between the clubs as United expressed an interest in Alex Scott, and have been informed that the Cherries would be open to a sale for around £50m.

United like his leadership and defensive qualities, and their data-led approach has seen him figure high up on their shortlist of targets.

England World Cup Quiz

You scored

out of 20

Man Utd Targets Are Underwhelming

Tyler Adams

United have made it abundantly clear that they want to rebuild their midfield this summer, and that has led to inflated prices when it comes to them finding targets.

Santos is top young talent who has been on the shortlist at Old Trafford for a while, and with Ederson already arriving too, despite reports the deal has collapsed, there is plenty of defensive quality there.

That should see the next midfield signing be on the more offensive side of things, but Adams would be adding even more defensive qualities to a side that needs to be able to progress play forward and have cover for Kobbie Mainoo.

Fans are underwhelmed by the latest round of links after missing out on their top targets, and it makes sense. United must find a way to get the right deals over the line, not just any midfield signings, if they want to get back to competing at the top level.


Man United chiefs Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrada and Christopher Vivell


Man Utd Chiefs Jetting Out of UK for Talks to Sign ‘World-Class’ Midfield Star

Man Utd are ready to make their move.

Continue Reading

Sports

Tottenham Offered Chance to Sign Dusan Vlahovic

Published

on

By


Tottenham Hotspur have been offered the chance to sign a top star this summer alongside their pursuit of Bournemouth star Eli Junior Kroupi.

Spurs have completed six signings already this summer, bringing in Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes, and Sandro Tonali in deals worth in excess of £220m.

But the Lilywhites are still looking at other deals, with a mega offer being lined up to sign Kroupi despite Bournemouth not wanting to sell. However, the north London side are now looking at other forward options, which has seen them offered the chance to sign a household name.

Tottenham Offered Dusan Vlahovic

Dusan Vlahovic sitting on the bench for Juventus

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham have been offered the chance to sign former Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic on a free transfer.

Vlahovic, who has been described as ‘one of the best strikers in the world’, recently left the Serie A giants after his contract expired, and is now searching for a new club, ideally in the Premier League.

The 26-year-old is attracting big interest from Turkish giants Besiktas, but Spurs are understood to be keeping a close eye on the situation as they assess their own forward options for the new season. Richarlison is expected to depart, while Randal Kolo Muani has left following the end of his loan spell.

Kroupi remains the club’s top target for the striker role, which could see any move for Vlahovic put on the back burner as a result.

But with the Serbian international available on a free transfer, it’s a deal that could emerge as a bargain considering the major expenditure being put out by the ownership to strengthen other areas of the squad during this window.

England World Cup Quiz

You scored

out of 20

Vlahovic Would Be Excellent Plan B

Dusan Vlahovic in action for Juventus

Dominic Solanke is currently the first-choice and only senior striker in the Spurs squad, but if De Zerbi is able to get his way and complete a deal to sign Kroupi, the expectation is that the Frenchman would be first choice.

Solanke would be excellent competition for him, and offer a different profile, but Vlahovic has got a much better goalscoring record throughout his career, and he is the type of profile who is a bit of a hybrid between them both.

The likelihood is that Vlahovic’s wages and the fact he wouldn’t be an automatic starter are going to be a hurdle that needs overcoming, but if Kroupi doesn’t arrive then it makes a deal much more feasible, and it’s one to keep an eye on while he remains unattached.


Sandro Tonali


Tottenham Confirm £100m Signing of Sandro Tonali on Six-Year Contract

Tottenham have confirmed the club-record deal.

Continue Reading

Sports

Kylian Mbappe Shares Statement After Paraguayan Senator’s Racist Attack

Published

on

By


Kylian Mbappe has condemned Paraguayan senator Madame Celeste Amarilla’s “brazen racism” in response to her comments about the France striker.

Amarilla reacted to Mbappe’s spat with Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill following his nation’s 1-0 win over the South Americans at the World Cup. The Real Madrid star is said to have ignored the offer of a handshake and instead celebrated Les Bleus’ victory.

The 27-year-old scored the winner from the penalty spot in a feisty affair which saw players clash throughout. The Paraguayan players tried provoking Mbappe but he didn’t take the bait.

Mbappe Responds to ‘Despicable’ Amarilla

Kylian Mbappe (France) Kyle Ross (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

Mbappe’s actions after the game riled up Amarilla who responded to a post about the incident involving Gill. She wrote on X: “[Mbappe] is so dumb he didn’t even learn how to write; instead of mother’s milk he was sucking coconuts, and the most educated things he’s ever heard were chimpanzees. You should have shown him the finger, Orlando Gill — I do it in the Senate and nothing happens!!!”

Amarilla also took to Instagram with another controversial post about the Frenchman: “Cameroonian, colonised, pretending hard to be French, bitter, nouveau riche, arrogant and ugly. He was nervous and terrified the whole match, like his entire team — they couldn’t score a single goal, they won because of sh*t… The only thing many of us are complaining about with Albirroja is not having given him a slap across the face after the match ended. And I’m not even a football fan.”

Mbappe has now hit back at Amarilla with a statement on his X account describing the senator as a ‘despicable woman’ who is ‘unworthy of her position.’ He wrote:

“You are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honor throughout the competition. Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup, making way for an incompetent woman who gives the worst possible image of her country. I will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism across the world.”

Mbappe has been one of the standout performers at this summer’s World Cup and his goal against Paraguay took his tally to seven goals in five games. The Paraguayans tried underhanded tactics to beat France, including several reckless challenges and petulant behaviour.

Continue Reading

Trending