Man Utd ready for a second cut-price striker signing for £30m after Cunha

Manchester United are preparing to step up their pursuit of Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, with the Frenchman now at the top of their shortlist following the official signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves.

According to TeamTalk, United have shifted their focus to Mateta after missing out on Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, who is on the verge of joining Chelsea in a £30 million deal.

United boss Ruben Amorim and the club’s recruitment team see Mateta as a powerful and proven Premier League centre-forward who could add much-needed firepower to the squad.

Sources close to the club reveal that United are expected to make a concrete approach in the coming days to explore the conditions of a potential transfer.

Crystal Palace, despite Mateta’s standout season in which he played a key role in their FA Cup triumph, are reportedly willing to sell the 27-year-old for a fee in the region of €30 million (£25.2m) to €35 million (£29.5m).

With his contract set to expire in 2026, Palace may be forced to consider offers unless they can secure the striker to a new long-term deal.

However, United are not alone in their pursuit. Two Serie A giants—Juventus and AC Milan—are also monitoring Mateta’s situation closely.

Juventus, having ruled out a move for Victor Osimhen, now see Mateta as a more realistic and financially viable target. AC Milan are also weighing up a move, with new manager Massimiliano Allegri expected to have significant input on the club’s next striker signing.

The competition for Mateta’s signature is heating up, and United will need to act quickly if they want to secure the French international, who scored prolifically for Palace during the 2024/25 campaign.

With Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the United board eager to back Amorim’s rebuild, the next few days could prove decisive.

Mateta is seen as an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund based on recent form, and his arrival could signal further changes to United’s attacking options as the club looks to bounce back from a disappointing season.