By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

29th Aug, 2023 | 12:00pm

Sources: RB Leipzig set sights on signing Crystal Palace star Mateta

There is a big possibility of Jean-Philippe Mateta leaving Crystal Palace in the final days of the summer transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.

German outfit RB Leipzig are keen to bring the Frenchman back to the Bundesliga following his move from Mainz to the Eagles on an initial loan move in 2021.

Ex-Mainz player and current Leipzig manager Marco Rose is believed to be a big fan of Mateta.

Rose is now pushing to bring the Palace star to Leipzig – who will play Champions League group-stage football from next month.

Football Insider revealed earlier this summer (10 June) that Mateta is keen to leave Selhurst Park this summer in search of more regular first-team football.

The imposing forward has managed just one appearance so far in the 2023-24 campaign – a 19-minute substitute cameo in the 1-1 draw against Brentford on Saturday (26 August).

Mateta scored four goals in 32 appearances across all competitions in the 2022-23 campaign as Crystal Palace recorded an 11th-place finish.

However, just eight of those outings came as part of the starting lineup – with Odsonne Edouard and Jordan Ayew the preferred options.

The former France Under-21 international, who earns a reported wage of £50,000-a-week at Selhurst Park, has managed just 10 goals and one assist in 68 total appearances for Palace.

And Roy Hodgson’s side are now on the hunt for additional bodies in forward areas with the transfer deadline just days away.

Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (29 August) that Wolves and Crystal Palace are set to do battle for the signature of Leicester City star Kelechi Iheanacho.

In other news, Crystal Palace race rivals to sign Arsenal star.