Jean-Philippe Mateta has garnered transfer interest from Liverpool and is facing an uncertain future at Crystal Palace.
The Frenchman scored 17 goals in 2024/25 and has continued his impressive form into the current campaign, netting six in 12 league matches.
It was reported over the summer that Liverpool were looking at Mateta to improve their forward line.
Who is your dream Liverpool January signing?
They eventually completed deals for Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak instead, but links to the Crystal Palace striker returned last week.
The prospect of the Reds moving for another number nine seems somewhat far-fetched then, but a fresh update suggests it could well happen.
Jean-Philippe Mateta wants to play in Serie A
Liverpool are on the lookout for a striker and could make a move in January under the right market conditions.
Supporters liked Mateta as a back-up option when he was first mooted over the summer, but the 28-year-old seems eager to move away from the Premier League should he depart Selhurst Park.
He is out of contract in just over 18 months, and GMS reports that he is open to leaving the Eagles.
Rather than securing a big-money move to a top Premier League team, however, it’s claimed that Mateta wants to play in the Serie A, ideally with a team that has Champions League football.
So, it seems unlikely he will be moving to Liverpool in the near future, which isn’t really a major issue given they have much bigger areas of concern right now.
Two positions Liverpool should actually target in January
Slot’s side have already shipped 20 goals in the Premier League this season, with it clear that a new centre-back to replace Ibrahima Konate is needed.
Elsewhere, although Antoine Semenyo is of interest, Liverpool fans want a defensive midfielder signed instead of the winger.
On that front, it is thought that an offer for Kees Smit is being considered by the English champions.
Who is Kees Smit?
- Name: Kees Smit
- Age: 19
- Club: AZ Alkmaar
- Position: Central midfield/Defensive midfield
- Senior appearances: 50
- Senior goals: 4
- Nationality: Dutch
AZ Alkmaar would want upwards of £20m for the teenager, who has been compared to FC Barcelona star Pedri by Ronald Koeman.
He said: “I once worked with Pedri as manager of Barcelona. And now I see things in Smit that I also saw in Pedri. It’s about being two-footed and scanning.”
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
