RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Senior football correspondent Published 1 hour ago The latest twist in what has, certainly of late, been a rollercoaster ride between Jean-Philippe Mateta and Crystal Palace has once more thrown the striker's future at the club under scrutiny.
BBC Sport's revelation on Saturday that Mateta has been arguing the final year on his Palace contract should be ruled invalid - and the fact he has taken the dispute to a Premier League independent tribunal and a Fifa hearing - makes for an intriguing dynamic heading into the closing days of the transfer window.
Despite Mateta and his advisers' challenge that the last year of the player's deal is not legally binding - because it was an extension option activated by the club on his original four-and-a-half-year contract - the France international remains contracted to Palace.
Days before starting Palace's Premier League opener at Everton , Fifa ruled that the matter was not in its jurisdiction. And while the outcome of last season's Premier League's independent tribunal is unconfirmed, the fact Mateta remains contracted to Palace indicates the hearing did not go his way.
With that in mind, certainly from Palace's perspective, the dispute is closed.
The fact Mateta played 63 minutes for Palace on Saturday suggests any damage caused to the relationship between player and club is not irreparable.
Mateta has shown before he is capable of changing the narrative at Selhurst Park in his favour.
Having nearly left the club, owing to a knee issue which meant a move to Italian giants AC Milan collapsed, the 29-year-old was routinely booed by Palace supporters when he returned to action for the club in the second half of the season.
But in May, Mateta was the toast of south London after scoring the winner in Palace's Uefa Conference League triumph over Rayo Vallecano.
There was then pride at Palace when Mateta fulfilled his dream of representing France during the World Cup.
Indeed, sources suggest there is some sympathy with Mateta, even in the light of the contractual dispute, amid a feeling the striker could have been advised differently, though supporters on social media have been far less compassionate towards him.
Employment lawyer Libby Payne said: "It is possible to argue that the terms of the option are inherently unfair and therefore void, although the threshold for this is high and such challenges rarely succeed."
So with just eight days left of the transfer window left, you cannot help but wonder if this once happy marriage is heading towards divorce.
There is said to be interest from rival clubs heading into the deadline. Aston Villa are among the clubs credited with an admiration for Mateta, with Ollie Watkins' future in doubt at the midlands club.
Despite his efforts to prove otherwise, Mateta still has 10 months left on his contract.
That is significant for a number of reasons.
It means if Palace are to recoup any money in transfer fees for Mateta before he is eligible to sign a Bosman pre-contract with an overseas club in January, then this window provides their last opportunity to do so.
That fact will not be lost on those at Palace and there is a view from some at the club that they should look to sever ties in the coming days.
But with Mateta less than 12 months away from a free transfer, which would most probably be more financially lucrative for him than leaving for a fee this month, it would be understandable if the striker was not rushing out of the exit door.
Palace have attempted to renew Mateta's contract over the past the 12 months but to no avail.
And while the option of an extension cannot be completely discounted, it seems inconceivable that Mateta would perform a U-turn now given the lengths he has gone to to prove his current one is invalid.
Palace are likely to, at the very least, listen to offers for Mateta, who - by his actions - has indicated he views his future away from Selhurst Park.
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