In a dramatic turn of events in the winter transfer window, AC Milan officially withdrew their plans to sign French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace. This sudden decision came for purely medical reasons, after the player failed the rigorous medical examinations conducted by the club's medical staff, a fact confirmed to AFP by informed sources and corroborated by reports in the major Italian media.
Behind the scenes of the deal's failure
The source explained that AC Milan requested further, more in-depth medical examinations of the player's knee, a very sensitive area for footballers. The source added that the results of these examinations did not provide the necessary guarantees to finalize the deal, prompting the Lombardy club's management to make the decisive decision to cancel everything, in order to avoid any future risks that could affect the player's performance and longevity on the field, especially since Milan competes at the highest levels both domestically and in Europe.
Context of Milan's need for a striker
This development comes at a time when Milan was desperately seeking to bolster its attack. With veteran striker Olivier Giroud getting on in years, the Rossoneri management were looking for a replacement or strike partner with youthful energy and physical strength. Mateta (28 years old) was seen as the ideal option, and he was originally slated to join the team next summer, before the club decided to bring his arrival forward by six months to strengthen the squad immediately. However, those plans have now evaporated, leaving Milan in a race against time to find a replacement before the transfer window closes.
Impact on the player and the market
For Mateta, this cancellation represents a major disappointment, as a move to a club with the history and prestige of AC Milan would have been a significant step forward in his career. Since joining Crystal Palace in January 2021, the player has established himself, featuring in every league match this season except for the last one, which he missed in anticipation of the transfer being finalized. Now, with the deal collapsing, Juventus, Milan's arch-rivals, may make a last-minute attempt to hijack the player's move, according to the Italian press, adding a new layer of drama to the Italian transfer market
