William Gallas warns Man Utd over £50m signing despite star considering move | Football

Manchester United have been urged to forget about a summer move for Jean-Philippe Mateta with William Gallas insisting the striker does not represent ‘a good investment’ for the club.

United have been desperately short of goals this season with Rasmus Hojlind and Joshua Zirkzee scoring just six times in the Premier League between them.

Viktor Gyokeres has been a top target having also attracted interest from other clubs across Europe amid another staggering campaign in front of goal.

United however are likely to be priced out of a move for the Sporting Lisbon star, left to consider alternative options.

Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap is one name under consideration but Mateta has also emerged as a target for the club with belief he can be shrewd and affordable signing to lead Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation.

Mateta, expected to return this weekend following his horror injury suffered against Millwall, has scored 15 goals for Crystal Palace this season – including a brace at Old Trafford in February.

Mateta is understood to be open to a move to United with Palace wanting a fee of at least £50million for the striker who turns 28 this summer.

Chelsea have also been credited with interest in the France international but former defender Gallas believes it would be a risky move for both sides.

‘We’re talking about Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is 27 and is playing for Crystal Palace with Manchester United and Chelsea linked to him,’ Gallas told Spin Genie.

‘He is doing well with Crystal Palace, but is he the right player to invest money in for the future? I’m not so sure.

‘I’m not saying that you need to buy really young players, but at 23 players can go to another step, they can reach another level of progress If they invest that money, do they keep him for two or three years and sell him at 32? No.

 ‘If they invest that money, do they keep him for two or three years and sell him at 32? No.’

Mateta is set to return to action wearing a face mask against Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend.

The striker was carried off the pitch in a neck brace just 15 minutes into Palace’s previous FA Cup encounter with Millwall after a sickening challenge with goalkeeper Liam Roberts.

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