CRYSTAL PALACE are keen to turn Jean-Philippe Mateta’s loan permanent.
The French striker, who is a year into an 18-month loan from German side Mainz, has won over Patrick Vieira in recent weeks with his performances.
Mateta’s future at Selhurst Park had looked bleak after being used sparingly by Roy Hodgson in the second half of last season.
And then successor Vieira at the start of the current campaign.
En un punto, Mateta even seemed close to cutting short his loan and moving back to France with Saint-Etienne.
But the 24-year-old has impressed over the festive period with goals against Norwich and Millwall in the FA Cup.
Mateta has featured in all of Palacio’s last six matches in all competitions and Vieira now wants to keep him.
SunSport understands a deal is yet to be agreed as Palace try to negotiate down from Mainz’s desired fee of around £14m.
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Vieira said of Mateta earlier this month: “Every time the team needed him to perform, he gave his best. He was rewarded by a couple of goals he scored.
“He’s there, he’s with us, part of the team and the squad. He’s available as anybody else. After I have to make a decision.
“But he’s working really well every single day and making it really difficult for me to choose the front players.”
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