Crystal Palace consider move for Mainz 05 striker Jean-Philippe Mateta

Crystal Palace are considering a move for Mainz 05 striker Jean-Philippe Mateta to reinforce Roy Hodgson’s faltering attack.

Christian Benteke has scored just three goals in 13 Premier League appearances this season, while Michy Batshuayi’s loan from Chelsea has proven ineffectual, with the striker yet to register a single goal for the Eagles.

Palace have been assessing potential options and Mateta, who has scored 10 goals in 17 games in all competitions for relegation-threatened Mainz, is understood to be high on the club’s list of options.

The 23-year-old, who represented France at youth level, joined the German side from Lyon in 2018 and currently has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.

Mainz have not ruled out selling Mateta this month, but the club would demand a sizeable fee to let go of their prize asset.

“A forward who is fit again and has the perfect age is in demand despite the virus,” Mainz’s sporting director, Rouven Schroder, recently told Bild.

“[If an outrageous offer comes in] we would then need to sit down and discuss it. We rejected something last winter and in summer, too.”