Exclusive:Smart move Gem Royal residence settle on Jean-Philippe Mateta move choice in front of January

Crystal Palace are now ready to block an exit for striker Jean-Philippe Mateta in the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.

The 26-year-old had looked set to leave Selhurst Park in the new year – two years after he joined on an initial loan from German club Mainz.

But it is believed that Palace have now pulled a U-turn and Mateta could now stay at the club – at least until the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that the Croydon club have acknowledged parting with the Frenchman would be a “huge risk”.

Palace hold concerns about the viability of replacing Mateta in the January window – when prices are inflated and top targets are unlikely to be available for purchase.

The 26-year-old has started each of the last two Premier League games in the injury absence of first-choice forward Odsonne Eduardo.