AC Milan could revive their pursuit of Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta this summer after his agent’s appearance at San Siro reignited speculation over a delayed transfer.
AC Milan may be preparing to reopen one of the transfer stories that slipped away in January, with fresh reports suggesting the Rossoneri are once again considering a move for Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The renewed speculation comes after the Crystal Palace striker’s agent was spotted at San Siro during AC Milan’s recent goalless draw with Juventus, a sighting that has immediately reignited talk of unfinished business.
Jean-Philippe #Mateta’s agent was in Milan this week. He was at San Siro Stadium to watch the game between #ACMilan and #Juventus, which were the clubs interested in him during January’s transfer window. Let see if they will rekindle the flame. #transfers
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) May 1, 2026
AC Milan had come extremely close to signing Mateta in the final days of the winter transfer window. A fee in the region of €30 million had reportedly been agreed with Crystal Palace, and the Frenchman looked set to become the latest attacking reinforcement for the Rossoneri. However, the transfer collapsed at the final hurdle after concerns emerged during his medical examination.
At the center of the issue was Mateta’s knee. Italian reports later revealed that Milan’s medical staff discovered an underlying problem significant enough to trigger further consultation, with multiple specialists brought in before a final decision was made. Ultimately, the club judged the risk too high to proceed, leaving a deal that had seemed virtually complete to unravel in dramatic fashion.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner later admitted the failed medical did not come as a major shock internally. He confirmed that Mateta had been managing a swollen knee for several months before the January window, essentially playing through discomfort while continuing to contribute. That revelation only reinforced the notion that Milan’s caution had not been baseless.
Interestingly, Mateta chose not to undergo surgery, a decision believed to be linked heavily to his hopes of representing France at the 2026 World Cup this summer. Instead, he opted for rehabilitation and managed his condition conservatively. After roughly six weeks out, the striker returned to action and has looked encouragingly sharp, producing three goals and one assist in his last nine appearances across all competitions.
That improved fitness picture appears to have put him back on AC Milan’s radar. The Rossoneri have not abandoned the idea of bringing Mateta to Serie A and could revisit negotiations once the summer market opens. The presence of his agent, Paul Latouche, at San Siro last weekend has only intensified the belief that exploratory discussions may already be underway behind the scenes.
There is also a financial angle that makes the situation more appealing than it was in January. Mateta is now approaching the final year of his contract at Crystal Palace, which weakens the Premier League club’s negotiating leverage. Milan, therefore, may sense an opportunity to secure the striker at a discounted fee well below the €30 million previously discussed, especially given the lingering medical concerns that still cloud his valuation.
