Crystal Palace are not expected to make Jean-Philippe Mateta's stay at the club permanent after a disappointing loan spell from Mainz 05.

What's the story?

That's according to journalist Tom Barclay, who revealed he doesn't believe that 23-year-old is in Palace's long-term plans.

He told GIVEMESPORT: "Mateta, I don't see being in the long-term Palace plan. I imagine when his 18-month deal is up, he'll probably go back if not sooner, so that would open a spot up."

Crystal Palace fans will be delighted

The former France U21 international arrived at Selhurst Park back in January 2021 on an initial 18-month loan deal with an option to buy, with the Eagles paying an initial £2.7m loan fee.

Palace also have an option to make the move permanent for a further £13.4m, although that only becomes an obligation if the versatile forward has started 15 Premier League games.

However, that prospect now appears to be extremely unlikely following several underwhelming showings for the south London outfit.

In seven top-flight outings last term, the 6 foot 2 beast found the back of the net on just one occasion under the tutelage of former manager Roy Hodgson, and things have gone from bad to worse during Patrick Vieira’s short reign.

Mateta has been awarded just 124 minutes of action by his compatriot throughout 2021/22 and has failed to start a Premier League game since the opening day of the season when he was hauled off just before the hour mark.

With summer signing Odsonne Edouard and the in-form Christian Benteke ahead of him in the pecking order, it's hard to imagine the £7.2m-rated flop's fortunes changing any time soon.

Therefore, large sections of the Palace supporters will be delighted at Barclay's latest revelation as the capital club appear set to avoid a potentially expensive mistake in the transfer market.

And, in other news...Palace "lining up" swoop for “complete” £12.6m-rated gem, Vieira surely buzzing