Liverpool want Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta | OneFootball

Liverpool are interested in recruiting the services of Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta this summer, and the Frenchman and his agent have met with the representatives of the Anfield club in Paris, according to French outlet Foot Mercato.

Liverpool want to bolster their attack following the demise of Diogo Jota and with Darwin Nunez still likely to leave, and Mateta has caught the attention of manager Arne Slot.

The 28-year-old ended last season with 17 goals and four assists in 46 appearances, and Palace could be open to selling him as the Reds and other suitors eye a deal.

It is believed that around €60 million could be enough for Liverpool to get a deal done for Mateta, but they could face fierce competition from Manchester United and others for him.

He notched 16 league goals and six assists in 35 games in 2023-24, and his form over the last two seasons could see him prove to be a solid addition to the Reds attack.

The Frenchman is an upgrade on Nunez and could be the answer to their long-term search for a quality number 9 capable of getting the job done in front of goal consistently.

Mateta is a better finisher and stronger player than the Uruguayan, and he has what it takes to start scoring at least 20 league goals for Liverpool every season given the goalscoring opportunities the team regularly churns out.

The Premier League reigning champions will be looking to defend their title and mount a stronger challenge in the Champions League next season, and they need quality squad depth in the final third if they are to win a treble next season.

The Merseyside club have added Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Freddie Woodman to their team so far this summer, but Slot could do with one or two more quality additions in preparation for 2025-26, and signing Mateta could be huge.