Pierre Sage delivers Jean-Philippe Mateta transfer update amid Crystal Palace contract dispute

Eagles boss expects Ismaila Sarr to remain in situ despite Liverpool links

Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage does not expect Jean-Philippe Mateta or Ismaila Sarr to leave the club before the end of the transfer window.

The striker’s future with the club has been in doubt for some time. Standard Sport reported this week that he had taken the club to court to challenge the validity of a one-year contract extension activated by the club in 2024. A Premier League tribunal subsequently ruled he is bound to honour his contract.

He came close to signing with AC Milan in January but the move fell through after he failed his medical, owing to a pre-existing knee injury, and Aston Villa have seen a bid for his services rejected this week.

Mateta got the nod to start Palace’s Premier League opener away at Everton, though, playing just over an hour of the 2-0 defeat.

Sage, though, insists he does not expect Mateta to leave south London, insisting the player is fully committed to Palace and rightly pointing out he has not downed tools.

He told reporters on Wednesday: “I speak with him every day and, in front of me, I have a guy that is funny, happy to be here.

Jean-Philippe Mateta failed to score as Everton beat Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener

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“He gives his best in every session. I didn’t see a player who has a problem with the club or with us, that’s why he played the last game as a starter.

“You imagine if we had a problem with him, he would not play as a starter. Now it is just a problem that will be resolved. It is maybe (the problem) with the man but not with the player, if you want.

“I think he (Mateta) will stay and, like I told you, he has the behaviour of someone who is happy to be here, who wants to be here and prepared to be here all season. I have no doubt about that.

“He prefers football to his contract. When you love to play, you play. The guy is wonderful.

“The player only trained for two weeks so he’s not perfect. If he was perfect, he would play every game and score 10 goals but that’s not the case for anybody.”

Sage took a similar stance when asked about Ismaila Sarr, with both Liverpool and Galatasaray said to be interested in his services.

Ismaila Sarr is recovering from a groin injury

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Sarr missed the trip to Everton through injury and is currently training alone, which Sage says is down to his groin problem rather than speculation over his future.

Asked whether the Senegal international might leave Palace before the transfer deadline, Sage added: “When you have three years on the contract, it is not easy to leave.

“Ismaila Sarr is in individual training because he is really in pain with his groin. But we prepare him, he needs time.

“I thought it would be quicker, but I am not a doctor. That is why I wait for him and we prepare for him to come back with us.”