Jean-Philippe Mateta threatens to be at the centre of the most controversial transfer of the summer window.
The Crystal Palace striker nearly left Selhurst Park in January, alienating large sections of the Selhurst Park faithful with only a failed medical with Milan keeping him in South London.
Mateta's contract was extended by 12 months in 2024, an option the club retained when Mateta initially put pen to paper. The France striker, however, has argued that the extension is invalid and that he should already be able to leave on a free.
Interestingly, Mateta did still play for more than an hour in Palace's opening game of the season against Everton, but an exit still appears on the cards.
Below, we look at where the 29-year-old might ply his trade beyond the summer transfer window.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham have had an extraordinarily busy transfer window. Their first team squad has been bolstered by a new left-back, two new centre-backs, two new central midfielders and a new winger with Omar Marmoush also set to join.
The squad however does look light up front, with Dominic Solanke operating as the club's sole out-and-out centre forward, and he's got plenty to prove to the Spurs faithful after an injury-hit 12 months.
As such, Roberto De Zerbi may still want another centre forward, and having already spent £350m on new signings, Mateta may prove a cost-effective striker.
Manchester United
Manchester United's transfer window starter promisingly with the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, though more was needed at Old Trafford.
Carlos Baleba looks like an important addition while the club are also trying to bring a new left-back to Old Trafford.
One problem area that seems to have been neglected, however, is up top, where United's dedicated centre forward options are Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee. Zirkzee has declared he's neither a number 10 nor a number nine, while the young Sesko is battling injury and could do with more support.
The Red Devils' issue in the position was reflected in their opening-day defeat to Hull City, in which Matheus Cunha was deployed up front to no success.
Aston Villa
With Ollie Watkins looking set to move to Al Hilal, Aston Villa will need to bring in a replacement should he depart. Liam Delap is being linked with a move, but Unai Emery may prefer a more proven goalscorer.
While Delap shows plenty of endeavour, it's hard to see him replicating the 16, 14 and 12 goals scored by Mateta in his last three seasons at Selhurst Park.
Villa have been hamstrung financially this summer, seeing many of their biggest stars leave, and Mateta may sit within the VIllans' budget.
