Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has suggested that Arsenal should attempt to hijack Manchester United’s transfer move for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. Mateta, 27, has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford due to his impressive form at Selhurst Park.
After joining Crystal Palace from Mainz in 2022, Mateta initially struggled but has since flourished, scoring 34 goals in all competitions over the past two seasons. Manchester United recently opened talks to sign him, with reports indicating that Mateta is open to joining the Red Devils despite their ongoing struggles under manager Ruben Amorim15.
Rooney, who admires Mateta’s abilities, believes Arsenal should consider signing the French striker. Arsenal has faced significant striker issues this season, exacerbated by injuries and a lack of depth up front. This has left them 15 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, and manager Mikel Arteta is expected to bolster his attack this summer.
“Jean-Philippe Mateta is a big, strong lad who scores a lot of goals,” Rooney told BBC Sport. “From watching Arsenal over the past few games in the Premier League, they have put a lot of balls into the box without having anyone to get on the end of them. I am sure he would help from that point of view.”
Mateta’s impressive form has reportedly made him available for £40 million this summer, a price that could be attractive to several clubs. Arsenal’s attacking woes were evident in their recent 1-1 draw against Manchester United, where they dominated possession but struggled to capitalize on their chances.
Mikel Arteta expressed frustration after the match, stating, “Very frustrating we haven’t won with the dominance and the chances we had in the first half… Sometimes that is what is missing. The execution has to be in to the right player and the right player to shoot.” Arteta’s comments highlight the need for a reliable goal-scorer like Mateta to enhance Arsenal’s attacking capabilities