Liverpool plotting surprise move for 27-year-old Premier League striker: Reports

Arne Slot's Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta. They see him as a potential replacement for Uruguay's Darwin Nunez in the upcoming transfer window, as per Fichajes.net.

Darwin Nunez joined Liverpool from Benfica in July 2022 for a reported transfer fee of £85 million. Since then, the Uruguayan forward has made 106 appearances for the Reds, bagging 35 goals and 19 assists across competitions.

Earlier this year, multiple reports said that the Reds were open to selling Nunez. However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano later denied all the rumors. Since taking charge at Anfield, Dutch manager Arne Slot has preferred Diogo Jota over Darwin Nunez in the frontline. In nine Premier League games, Nunez has made just six appearances and started only two matches, scoring and assisting only one goal.

Arne Slot doesn't see Nunez as a starter, and as a result, he's keen to add another forward to the team. Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta is one of Liverpool's transfer targets. Mateta joined Palace on a permanent deal in January 2022 after a loan spell from German side FSV Mainz.

Mateta has made 117 appearances for the Eagles across all competitions, bagging 34 goals and seven assists. The French forward's ongoing deal with the Premier League side will end in the summer of 2026. Crystal Palace will aim to sell the player before he becomes a free agent.

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Diogo Jota to miss at least four more games for Liverpool

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has confirmed that Diogo Jota is not expected to return before the November international break. The Portuguese forward is currently on the sidelines due to a rib injury suffered during the Reds' 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday, October 20.

Jota has already missed two matches for the Reds and has yet to resume training. As a result, Diogo Jota will miss at least four more matches for the Merseyside club between November 11 and 19. Arne Slot said in a press conference before the Red's EFL Cup clash against Brighton & Hove Albion on October 30 (via BBC):

"Conor (Bradley) is training with us again so maybe he could be in the squad (for Wednesday's trip to Brighton in the EFL Cup). Jota not, Alisson not, Harvey Elliott not, Federico (Chiesa)."

Slot was later asked about the possibility of Diogo Jota returning to action before the November international break. In response, he said:

"No, it will be after that. Elliott the same."

The Reds will face Brighton away on Wednesday and later, will face the Seagulls at home in the Premier League on Saturday, November 2.