Jean-Philippe Mateta’s representatives have told Sky Sports News that Newcastle United are trying to sign him this summer, according to Kaveh Solhekol.
Mateta, 22, was in good form for Mainz last season as he scored 14 goals in 34 Bundesliga appearances and now Newcastle are in the hunt to sign him as Steve Bruce aims to add strikers to his recently-inherited squad.
Sky journalist Solhekol shared on Sky Sports News on Friday night [19:50pm] that representatives of both Gent striker Mbwana Samatta and Mainz’s Mateta have told him that the Magpies are hopeful of signing their clients before the end of the summer transfer window.
“We had a situation where an intermediary got in touch with and said ‘hey one of my players is also on their shortlist’. That player was Samatta, the striker at Genk who scored 32 times last season,” Solhekol said.
“Another intermediary has just got in touch with us to tell us he’s got one of his players on Newcastle’s shortlist as well.
“This player’s called Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Solhekol added: “His representatives are saying that Newcastle are trying to sign him as well.”
OPINION
Mateta is a good young striker who might be a very good option for Newcastle if they struggle to finalise a deal for Joelinton or want another option to join the Brazilian in their attack for next season. According to stats by WhoScored, Mateta averaged 2.9 shots at goal per Bundesliga appearance for Mainz last term, as well as 0.9 key passes and won 3.2 aerial duels. The France Under-21 international, who scored once in three outings at this summer’s Under-21 European Championships, would be a great addition for Newcastle if they can get him. Newcastle do seem set on signing Joelinton though and unless they make some more money off player sales this summer, it seems unlikely that Mike Ashley will fund big-money moves for both the Brazilian and Mateta. Steve Bruce should want to add another striker to his side but it might have to be a cut-price deal for someone who is perhaps not as promising as Mateta.
