Crystal Palace are closing the permanent signing of on-loan Mainz striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The striker, who been on loan with Crystal Palace since last January, has climbed the pecking order under Patrick Vieira in recent weeks and is now close to agreeing terms on a permanent deal, says the London Evening Standard.

Mateta's original loan deal included an obligation to buy for around £13million after a certain amount of starts for the Eagles. He has not hit that mark of starts, meaning Palace have been able to negotiate a lower fee.

The 24-year-old is set to agree terms on an £8m move, with his representatives having travelled from France to London over the weekend.

Mateta had been earmarked as a player who could leave the club at the start of the window, but his upturn in form changed Vieira's mind.