After a rough start to his Premier League career, Mateta has been in outstanding form for a while now. The Frenchman joined the Eagles in January 2021, and until the 2023–2024 season, he was mostly forgotten.

From December to May, he scored 16 league goals, continuing his recent hot streak. He has already scored 10 goals this season. Due to his performance the previous season, he was selected for the French Olympic squad. He scored five goals throughout the Games, which led to Spain's tight victory in the final. Larger teams, particularly Barcelona, have taken notice of his play during the past 14 months, and Spanish newspaper Fichajes reports that he has become a transfer target. Robert Lewandowski is still going strong at 36 years old, but Barca want another option up front to provide competition and allow them to rest the legendary Pole.