Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is reportedly set to sanction the January exit of striker Jean-Philippe Mateta after a disappointing spell on English shores.
What's the story?
According to The Sun, Vieira has already lost faith in the 24-year-old after just a few months at the helm in south London, opening the door for him to return to parent club Mainz 05 in the winter window.
The report states that: "Patrick Vieira will clear striker Jean-Philippe Mateta to leave Crystal Palace in the next window and cut short his loan.
"The Frenchman has failed to fire and has been told he is not part of the club's future plans and his move from German side Mainz will not be made permanent."
Palace fans will surely be delighted
Mateta arrived at Selhurst Park in January 2021 on an initial 18-month loan deal with an option to buy, with Palace paying an initial £2.7m loan fee.
The Eagles have an option to make the move permanent for a further £13.4m, but that only becomes an obligation if the former France U21 international has started 15 Premier League games.
However, it now seems as though the capital club are set to offload Mateta just 12 months into his stay in the Premier League following several underwhelming showings.
In seven top-flight outings last term, the 6 foot 2 colossus found the back of the net on just one occasion under the tutelage of former boss Roy Hodgson, and things have gone from bad to worse during Vieira's short reign.
He's been awarded just 61 minutes of Premier League action throughout 2021/22 and was substituted just after the hour mark when awarded a rare start against Watford in the Carabao Cup.
Therefore, the Palace fans will surely be delighted to learn that Mateta's nightmare is expected to end earlier than previously planned.
His departure will free up funds for Vieira to strengthen his current squad over the coming months and prevent the Eagles from being forced to sign Mateta on a permanent basis.
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