Aston Villa and Crystal Palace Could Engineer Sensational Swap Deal
In a development that could send shockwaves through the Premier League this month, Aston Villa are reportedly exploring a sensational swap transfer deal to secure the services of Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Mateta's Bombshell Transfer Request
The 28-year-old French international has reportedly submitted a formal transfer request at Selhurst Park, expressing his desire to leave the club after a five-year tenure. This decision follows significant upheaval at Palace, including manager Oliver Glasner's confirmed departure at season's end and the recent sale of defender Marc Guehi.
With just eighteen months remaining on his current contract, Mateta has previously declined opportunities to extend his stay. While Palace are not actively pushing to sell their star forward, they may face pressure to secure a transfer fee rather than risk losing him on a free transfer in the near future.
Why Mateta Represents a Transformative Target
Mateta's evolution at Crystal Palace has been remarkable. After initially struggling for consistent starting opportunities during his first seasons, his fortunes transformed dramatically following Glasner's appointment in February 2024. Since that managerial change, the powerful forward has netted an impressive thirty-six league goals.
His contributions have been instrumental in Palace's recent successes, including their historic FA Cup triumph and first-ever qualification for European competition. Mateta's consistent performances have also earned him recognition at international level, where he has scored twice in his first three appearances for France.
For Aston Villa, securing Mateta would represent a significant statement of intent. His arrival would provide the club with two established strikers for the second half of the season, potentially enhancing their ability to compete across multiple competitions simultaneously.
The Potential Swap Deal Mechanics
According to reports from The Athletic's David Ornstein, Crystal Palace are evaluating a move for Aston Villa forward Evann Guessand as part of potential negotiations. The Ivory Coast international joined Villa from French side Nice during the summer transfer window, arriving with considerable promise after registering twelve goals and nine assists in thirty-three Ligue 1 matches last season.
Guessand was initially viewed as a long-term replacement for Jhon Duran following his January 2025 departure, with the versatility to operate across various attacking positions. However, the young forward has yet to fully establish himself in the Premier League, with his only goals coming in European competition rather than domestic matches.
With Guessand having started just six league games and made seven substitute appearances this season, a potential swap arrangement could benefit both clubs. A deal potentially valued around £30 million, with Guessand moving in the opposite direction, might represent a mutually beneficial solution at this stage of the campaign.
This proposed transfer would create significant attacking reinforcement for Villa while providing Palace with a promising young talent to develop alongside potential compensation for their departing star striker.
