AC Milan has put an end to one of the most intense sagas of the transfer deadline. What seemed to be a strategic signing to bolster the Rossoneri attack has officially collapsed. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the agreement with Crystal Palace is definitively off the table, leaving the Italian club with little room for maneuver as the transfer window draws to a close

"A Two-Pronged Collapse" The breakdown of the operation was not caused by a single factor, but rather a combination of sporting and financial red flags:

• Medical Doubts: During tests conducted over the weekend, Milan’s medical staff detected irregularities in the French striker’s knee. Facing the risk of a long-term injury, the club demanded additional specialized exams, a stance that soured relations between the parties.
• Agent Demands: Much like what happened to Juventus at the start of the window, Milan hit a wall regarding the high commissions requested by Mateta’s entourage. These financial demands, coupled with physical uncertainty, ultimately exhausted the patience of the Milanese board.

Abrupt End

Despite an economic understanding between the clubs, the negativity surrounding the player's camp in the final hours proved decisive. Milan prefers not to compromise its financial or sporting stability on a high-risk gamble, withdrawing from the race and focusing its efforts on last-minute alternatives.

With this move, Mateta will remain—at least for now—under the management of Oliver Glasner in London, while Milan must now race against the clock to find the missing piece to complete their attacking lineup.

Watch beIN SPORTS Xtra live and for free on YouTube