Manchester United are unlikely to move for Crystal Palace‘s Jean-Philippe Mateta this summer, with a deal for either Bayern Munich‘s Harry Kane or Sporting Lisbon‘s Viktor Gyokeres more likely, according to their former chief scout Mick Brown.
The Red Devils will bring in a new striker during this summer’s transfer window, and Mateta has recently been linked with a move to the club.
The 27-year-old has scored 15 goals and registered three assists in 33 appearances for Palace this season, and it has been claimed that a £40m move could occur during the upcoming market.
However, Brown, who is a former chief scout for the 20-time English champions, has claimed that Mateta is unlikely to arrive at Old Trafford, with the club instead expected to sign Kane or Gyokeres.
“I’d be surprised if Man United went for Mateta,” Brown told Football Insider. “If I’m honest, I never expected him to reach the level he is at now, so I have to bow down and say well done to him and well done to Crystal Palace.
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Brown: ‘Man United could move for Kane or Gyokeres’
“I think he’s a gem for Crystal Palace, and that’s what he should continue to be. I’m not so sure that he’s the one Man United will be looking to sign, although with the options they’ve got at the moment, he’d certainly be an improvement.
“The names United have been looking at are more high-profile. They’ve been looking at the likes of Harry Kane and Viktor Gyokeres.
“So I think the interest in Mateta, if there is any, will just be as a result of the club doing due diligence on the options which might be available this summer. It’s not a move I would expect to see happen.”
Kane has again been in excellent form for Bayern during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 32 goals and registering 11 assists in 36 appearances, but there is currently widespread speculation surrounding his future.
The forward has a contract at Allianz Arena until June 2027, but it has been claimed that there will be a £54m release clause in his contract in January 2026, which could lead to him returning to the Premier League.
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Is a move to Man United for Kane realistic?
Man United, under their new structure, are targeting younger players with potential to develop into world-class stars, so bringing in Kane would go against their transfer policy, but it is not impossible to see the move occurring.
Kane (213) is the second-highest goalscorer in the history of the Premier League, with only Alan Shearer (260) finding the back of the net on more occasions, and he could have the chance to break the record with a move to Man United.
The Englishman remains one of the leading forwards in world football, and it would be a huge statement of intent from Man United, who desperately need to bring in a reliable goalscorer this summer.
Gyokeres, meanwhile, has also been linked with a move to Man United since Ruben Amorim arrived as head coach.
The Sweden international, who is set to leave Sporting this summer, has also had an excellent 2024-25 campaign, finding the back of the net on 39 occasions in 40 appearances for the Lisbon giants, in addition to providing nine assists.
