Jean-Philippe Mateta came close to joining AC Milan in January, but the move collapsed after failed medicals. Oliver Glasner says a knee issue has been managed since November.
Jean-Philippe Mateta move to AC Milan was one of the stories that nearly defined the January transfer window, but it ended with an abrupt medical roadblock that changed everything.
The French international striker asked to leave Crystal Palace midway through the season, and Milan were prepared to act quickly. An agreement was reached between the clubs, with the Italian side ready to bring the deal over the line, yet the transfer ultimately collapsed after Mateta did not pass two separate medical evaluations in Italy.
Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner addressed the situation publicly and added key context that explains why Milan may have hesitated. Glasner revealed that Mateta has been dealing with a knee issue since November, and that the forward continued to play through it. In other words, this was not a last minute, unexpected medical discovery. It was an ongoing problem that Palace had been managing internally, balancing the short term need to keep their main scorer on the pitch with the longer term risk of aggravating the injury.
From Palace perspective, the situation is delicate but not unusual at elite level. Many clubs manage players through chronic or recurring issues, especially when the player is central to the teams attacking output. The difference here is that a buying club has no reason to take the same risks. Palace can decide to manage Mateta week to week because they already have him, they know how he responds, and they can adjust his training load and minutes. Milan, by contrast, were being asked to invest heavily in a player who may require a tailored program, possible downtime, and uncertain availability. Failing two rounds of checks suggests Milan medical staff wanted clearer reassurance than they were able to get, particularly if the knee issue carries a risk of worsening or needing a significant intervention later.
Mateta request to leave also matters, because it indicates the transfer push did not come only from outside interest. According to Glasner, Mateta communicated that he wanted a move. That kind of stance can shift the mood inside a squad, even if the player remains professional. It forces the club to plan for different scenarios: keeping a key striker who might feel he missed a major opportunity, while also protecting the squads results in the short term. Palace now need to manage both the medical side and the human side, making sure Mateta stays engaged while the club evaluates what to do next.
Glasner indicated that Palace will carry out further assessments to determine the best solution. That can mean several practical steps, depending on what the medical picture shows. Palace could keep the current approach, carefully managing his workload with targeted training, controlled minutes, and pain management while continuing to start him in key fixtures. They could also decide that the risk is too high and reduce his role temporarily, even if that weakens the attack, to protect him for the run in and for a potential future transfer window. If the assessments suggest a more serious structural issue, the club might need to consider a longer layoff or a treatment plan that prioritizes recovery over immediate availability.
The timing of this news is significant because Palace are preparing for a Premier League trip to Brighton. It is the kind of match where Palace often need a strong focal point up front, especially away from home, and Mateta has filled that role consistently. Glasner has built his side around intensity and structure, and a striker who can occupy defenders, hold the ball, and finish chances is crucial in that setup. If Mateta is not fully fit, it affects not only the finishing but also the teams ability to progress play, relieve pressure, and create space for runners from midfield.
Mateta numbers underline why Palace were willing to keep managing the knee issue rather than shutting him down. In the 2025 to 2026 season he has 10 goals and 2 assists in 34 appearances, and he remains the teams most reliable scorer. When a club has limited proven goal output elsewhere, the pressure to keep the main striker available is enormous. Every point can shape the season, and every missed match can swing a tight game.
For Milan, the collapse creates its own set of consequences. They invested time, effort, and likely a clear tactical plan into the signing, only to walk away at the final stage. That forces them to pivot, either toward an alternative striker target or toward internal solutions. Medical related collapses also tend to be final rather than negotiable, unless the deal is restructured with different terms, performance clauses, or a different financial profile. The fact that an agreement with Palace was already in place suggests the clubs were aligned on value, but the medical risk was the decisive variable.
Palace now face the question of what Mateta future looks like beyond February. He is under contract until 2027, which gives the club leverage. They are not forced sellers, and they can hold out for the price they want if another approach arrives in the summer. His estimated value has been put at around 45 million euros, but the reality is that any medical uncertainty can influence what buyers are willing to pay, how they structure add ons, and whether they demand safeguards. Palace also have to consider the market: if multiple clubs remain interested, competition can keep the fee high. If the Milan episode makes other clubs cautious, Palace may have to work harder to provide medical clarity.
From Mateta viewpoint, the next few weeks are crucial. If he continues playing well and the knee holds up, he strengthens the case that the issue is manageable. If the knee flares up, causes missed matches, or reduces his effectiveness, it could complicate both Palace season and his transfer prospects. This is why the further assessments Glasner mentioned are so important. They are not only about getting through the next match, but about deciding whether Mateta should be protected, treated, or pushed, and how the club should plan its recruitment around that decision.
In the immediate term, Palace priority will be results, and Glasner will likely keep decisions pragmatic. If Mateta can start, even with careful management, he offers a threat Palace cannot easily replace. If he cannot, Palace need a clear alternative plan for Brighton and beyond, because they cannot afford to be tactically dependent on a striker whose availability is uncertain. Longer term, the failed Milan move has turned Mateta situation into something bigger than a simple transfer story: it is now a test of medical management, squad planning, and whether a player who wanted to leave can quickly reset his focus and keep delivering in a demanding league.
