Tottenham jäi nuolemaan näppejään Crystal Palacen maalipyssy Jean Philippe Matetasta
For Tottenham Hotspur, the final days of the summer transfer window brought a sense of déjà vu: chasing a goal-scorer right up until the deadline, only to end with frustration. Their target this time? Crystal Palace frontman Jean-Philippe Mateta, a striker who has quietly built a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most reliable finishers. But Palace were unshakable. Despite Spurs’ interest, the deal never even reached the table.
Spurs Go Shopping on Deadline Day
Ever since Harry Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich in 2023, Spurs have been searching for a leader up front. The need is glaring; the solution less obvious. In the final hours of the window, Tottenham reached across London to ask: could Palace be tempted into selling their in-form striker? The answer was curt—absolutely not. No offer was lodged, no negotiations ensued.
Instead, Spurs moved quickly to secure a short-term fix: Randal Kolo Muani arrived on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. A shrewd piece of business on paper, perhaps—but not the long-term striker solution fans had hoped for.
Palace’s Unwavering Stance
Crystal Palace’s position was never in doubt. Reports suggest the club turned down offers worth around £50 million (€57m) earlier in the summer. For Palace, Mateta isn’t just another squad member; he’s a cornerstone, crucial to their survival and ambitions in the Premier League.
The Frenchman is already tied down until 2028, and discussions are underway to extend his stay even further. For fans in South London, those talks are more than contract negotiations—they’re a sign of a club determined to build around its most dependable striker.
Mateta by the Numbers
What makes Mateta so valuable? Quite simply, his record speaks for itself:
- 30 goals in the last two Premier League campaigns
- 3 goals in his opening six appearances this season (2025/26)
At 28, he’s in his prime: strong, intelligent with his runs, and adept at both holding up the ball and finishing inside the box. He’s not flashy—but he’s lethal, and that consistency is rare currency in England’s top division.
Tottenham’s Hesitancy
This is where Spurs fans start feeling impatient. Too often, the club identifies the right profile but stops short of making the bold move. With Mateta, they appeared hesitant, ultimately settling for a loan signing that offers pace and unpredictability but not proven reliability in the Premier League.
Kolo Muani may come good, but he carries question marks from his uneven spell in Paris. Mateta, by contrast, is the proven striker Spurs still lack—a forward who guarantees goals on English soil.
What’s Next?
For Palace, the future is clearer: keep Mateta, resist suitors, and build stability around their star man. His value will only rise if his form continues, but so too will Palace’s determination to hold their ground.
For Tottenham, another window has passed without securing a long-term answer up front. The question remains—when January rolls around, will they finally make the bold move, or will they continue patching holes with short-term solutions?
The Takeaways
- Tottenham showed interest in Jean-Philippe Mateta but never submitted a formal bid.
- Palace turned down offers of around £50m and are preparing a contract extension.
- Mateta’s record shows consistency: 30 league goals in two seasons plus a strong current campaign.
For Spurs fans, it’s familiar territory—a case of what might have been. Was Mateta the missing piece that slipped away, or did Palace make the smarter call by holding firm? The debate will linger until the next window opens, when Tottenham will once again be asked: do you go for the quick fix, or finally break the cycle?
👉 And here’s the ultimate question—should Spurs have pushed harder for Mateta, or were Palace absolutely right to draw the line?
