The Crystal Palace star says he is ready to move on if the opportunity arises, but the Eagles will fight hard to keep hold of the 28-year-old
Tottenham and Everton are interested in signing Wilfried Zaha this summer.
Crystal Palace will, however, fight hard to keep their star man, with big changes set to take place at Selhurst Park following the departure of manager Roy Hodgson.
Palace lost their final game at Anfield to Liverpool on Sunday, as Hodgson’s tenure ended on a losing note. Some of his players, including 15 players whose contracts are up for renewal in the coming months, decided to bid him farewell.
WHAT’S THE SITUATION WITH ZAHA?
Both Everton and Spurs are strongly interested in Zaha, and they will look to pursue a deal this summer.
Everton’s interest dates back to the summer of 2019, when they made two formal offers for the Ivory Coast international. The second of those, worth £70 million ($99m) plus Cenk Tosun and James McCarthy, was rejected by Palace, with the Toffees instead signing Alex Iwobi from Arsenal on transfer deadline day.
Although their admiration for Zaha has never faded, they are hopeful that this year, they will be able to close a deal at a much lower price.
Zaha, 28, has two years left on his contract at Palace and will almost certainly not be signing a new one. There is a belief he could now be available for less than £40m ($57m).
Tottenham, who are themselves without a permanent manager at present, are monitoring the situation, and could have the means to make a move, especially if Harry Kane departs.
Arsenal were interested in the past, but they are unlikely to return now that Nicolas Pepe has been signed as well as Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe emerging. Last week, that Arsenal were interested in Norwich’s Emiliano Buendia.
IS PALACE GOING TO SELL?
The understanding is that Palace will look to keep Zaha at Selhurst Park.
They have plenty to do this summer as it is, with Hodgson stepping down as manager. Frank Lampard, Eddie Howe and Steve Cooper, the Swansea boss, have all been linked as potential replacements.
Whoever is appointed, they will need to reassemble the side, with numerous senior players set to leave on free transfers.
The likes of Gary Cahill, Mamadou Sakho, Nathaniel Clyne, Christian Benteke, Wayne Hennessey, Patrick van Aanholt, Andros Townsend, Jeffrey Schlupp, James McCarthy, Joel Ward, Martin Kelly and Scott Dann are all out of contract as things stand.
Zaha’s situation is complicated further by the achilles injury suffered by Eberechi Eze, which is set to keep the England U-21 star sidelined for a number of months. The Eagles remain keen to build their team around Eze and Zaha going forward.
WHAT HAS ZAHA SAID?
He revealed recently that he was open to a new challenge, believing that he still has the talent and hunger to compete at the top end of the Premier League.
I hope I can have another chance to play for the top teams because my dream is to win.
“I’m good enough to go out there and compete with the best.
“IF THE OPPORTUNITY CAME, I WOULDN’T TURN IT DOWN, BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I DESERVE IT. IT’S SO I CAN SHOW MY KIDS: ’THIS IS WHAT DADDY WON’.”
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