Crystal Palace and Jean-Philippe Mateta are currently in a dispute over a new contract.
The Frenchman will have just 12 months left on his contract at the end of this season and talks over an extension have yet to progress.
In fact, Mateta has even oddly decided to forgo his trademark celebration – where he kicks the corner flag – due to this contract dispute, according to the South London Press .
All fans are hoping that Jean-Philippe Mateta and Crystal Palace will eventually shake hands given his newfound fan-favourite status at Selhurst Park, but if talks completely collapse, Dougie Freedman has now suggested a possible replacement…
Elijah Adebayo on the Crystal Palace roster
A story from The Sun now says that Crystal Palace are visiting Luton Town no. 11 Elijah Adebayo in case he has to sell Mateta in 2025.
Everton are also said to be keen on signing the 26-year-old, with Sean Dyche even making the Luton Town frontman his first January target as the Toffees look to lose Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The Sun add that Everton would make a bid for Adebayo before Friday’s 6pm transfer deadline. 23:00, if a buyer has been found for the English international.
Crystal Palace actually showed an interest in Calvert-Lewin earlier in the summer before they decided to sign Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal, sources have told TBR Football.
Luton Town are said to be open to selling Adebayo for a fee of around £20m after they were relegated to the Championship.
The Luton Town No.11 would become an instant fan favorite at Selhurst Park
If a deal between Crystal Palace and the Hatters goes through in January, Adebayo has already done something that would make him a very popular man in SE25.
The Brent-born man actually scored a Premier League hat-trick against Crystal Palace’s fierce rivals Brighton last season as Luton Town claimed a shock 4-0 win over the Seagulls.
In total, Adebayo has scored ten goals in 27 Premier League games, including goals against Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle, a fantastic return for a player who has never played in England’s top flight.
Hopefully Crystal Palace can agree a new contract with Mateta, but if a deal falls through, Adebayo wouldn’t be a bad replacement by any means.