Thierry Henry has told Liverpool all it needs to know about Jean-Philippe Mateta transfer move

Jean Philippe-Mateta is the latest name being linked with Liverpool, with the Reds claimed to have already held talks with the Crystal Palace striker in a surprise move.

Having already gone big on the signings of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez this summer, Liverpool might still have some transfer business up its sleeve for the remainder of the window, with a new striker likely to be among its priorities.

For the time being, the Reds are perhaps more likely to focus on outgoings, with the likes of Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa being linked with exits, although the former did his best to further his case against Preston on Sunday.

Should Nunez depart, a new No.9 would be imperative for Arne Slot’s side, with plenty of names having been touted for a move to Anfield already.

Alexander Isak remains the dream option for many, although Newcastle is showing no hints of being willing to offload the Swedish international. Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko have also been linked, and now a surprise name has been thrown into the hat.

According to French outlet Foot Mercato, Liverpool has held talks with Mateta’s agent over a deal to sign the Palace striker. It’s claimed the Reds have sought to gauge how feasible a deal would be, with the 28-year-old under contract at Selhurst Park until 2027.

It’s certainly a rumor that has come out of the blue, although if Mateta were to make the move to Anfield, he would go with the backing of a true Premier League legend.

Thierry Henry managed Mateta with France during last year’s Olympics in Paris, and the former Arsenal and Barcelona great holds him pretty high esteem.

“He’s an old-fashioned striker, you can play a little more direct,” Henry said last summer.

“He can keep the ball. He’s a boring striker to play against, he doesn’t lose the ball much, and he goes at the last defender. He uses his physicality, he’s good with his head, and he scores.

“It’s important that a striker like that gives you another dimension. He was also voted Player of the Year at Crystal Palace. It seems to me that he’s not too bad.”

Liverpool.com says: Let's be honest, nothing really adds up about this one. Mateta is a perfectly good striker, but is he really someone a team like Liverpool would be targeting?

You could make the argument that a striker who can hold the ball up is all the Reds need, given they've got Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo to provide the goals.

But a 28-year-old Mateta would just feel severely underwhelming when compared to some of the names that have been linked this summer. This one feels like it doesn't hold much weight.

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