Wayne Rooney has urged Arsenal to consider hijacking Manchester United’s move for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The French forward has been in superb form at Selhurst Park, attracting interest from top clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.
Mateta, 27, initially struggled after joining Palace from Mainz in 2022 but has enjoyed a resurgence over the last two seasons. With 34 goals across all competitions, he has established himself as one of the most reliable strikers in the Premier League. Reports suggest Manchester United have opened talks to sign Mateta, who is open to a move to Old Trafford despite the club’s inconsistent form under Ruben Amorim.
However, Rooney believes Arsenal should be looking at Mateta as a potential solution to their attacking struggles. The Gunners have been linked with several strikers ahead of the summer window, with Mikel Arteta eager to add firepower to his squad. “Jean-Philippe Mateta is a big, strong lad who scores a lot of goals,” Rooney told BBC Sport. “Arsenal put a lot of balls into the box but don’t have anyone to finish them. I am sure he would help.”
Arsenal’s lack of a clinical striker has been a major issue this season, contributing to their 15-point gap behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. A 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Sunday further highlighted their need for a consistent goal scorer. Despite dominating possession, Arsenal struggled to break down United’s defense and needed a second-half goal from Declan Rice to salvage a point.
Mateta, valued at around £40 million, could be a cost-effective option for Arsenal, who have also been linked with Victor Osimhen, Alexander Isak, and Benjamin Sesko. His physical presence, movement, and finishing ability make him an ideal target for Arteta’s system.
Mikel Arteta expressed his frustration after the United draw, lamenting his team’s inability to capitalize on their dominance. “Very frustrating we haven’t won with the chances we had,” Arteta said. “We had them in the second half, but in the final 25 meters, we lacked the finishing touch.”
With the summer transfer window approaching, Arsenal must decide whether to pursue Mateta or opt for a more high-profile striker. Rooney’s endorsement adds further intrigue to what could be a major transfer battle between two Premier League giants.