CRYSTAL PALACE will block Jean-Philippe Mateta’s move to French club Saint-Etienne until they sign another new striker.
The Eagles want Eddie Nketiah, 22, but are being frustrated in their attempts to land the Arsenal star.
Mateta, who scored the winner in the FA Cup victory at Millwall, is on loan from Mainz and looks unlikely to play enough for the Eagles to activate a transfer.
Mateta has appeared in only five Premier League games for Palace but scored his first goal for the club against Norwich just after Christmas.
He then followed up with a header against Millwall in the 58th minute of Saturday’s cup tie.
Michael Olise picked out Mateta with a pinpoint cross and the Frenchman headed into the back of the net.
The 24-year-old forward has represented France at youth team level and scored 27 goals in 71 appearances for parent club Mainz.
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Palace are also ready to loan out Scottish midfielder Scott Banks, 20, with League Two Bradford set to take him once he is clear of injury.
And the South London club have lost Wilfried Zaha, Jordaw Ayew and Cheikyou Kouyate to the African Cup of Nations.
But boss Patrick Viera has praised Aaron Ramsey, who is set to leave Juventus in the transfer window and could be coming back to Blighty.
Viera lauded the fellow ex-Arsenal midfielder: “When you look at (Ramsey’s) pedigree and experience, I think he would improve a lot of teams in the Premier League.
“I like the player, like a lot of players. He’s a terrific player and I think he can do well for teams in the Premier League.”
