Where could Wilfried Zaha end up if he leaves Crystal Palace?
Wilfried Zaha’s wish for a big move could FINALLY come true this summer after the Crystal Palace star admitted his desire to win trophies – but, with European giants including Milan and PSG interested, where will he end up?
- A host of elite clubs will be interested in signing star Wilfried Zaha this summer
- The Crystal Palace winger again outlined his desire to go on and ‘win trophies’
- Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham are said to have been keen to swoop in the past
- AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain have both also been credited with an interest
- Here, Sportsmail takes a look at where Zaha could end up should he leave Palace
The annual Wilfried Zaha transfer saga spluttered back into life this week after the Crystal Palace talisman admitted to his desire to ‘play at the highest level’.
Zaha, 28, has long since been the subject of interest from a host of top European clubs – but, as of yet, his Champions League aspirations haven’t been met. That all may change this summer, though, with a potential bidding war on the cards.
The talented forward told Palace in May 2019 that he wanted to leave and join a club battling it out with European heavyweights, but moves to Arsenal and Everton failed to materialise despite both teams having been keen to swoop.
Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha has again admitted he wants to ‘play at the highest level’
Appearances: 381
Goals: 66
Assists: 46
Palace had opted to stand firm over their eye-watering £80million valuation, and Zaha has since been forced to remain professional.
He has stepped up time and time again with his club often flailing at the wrong end of the table.
Zaha has spent a total of nine years with the first-team at Selhurst Park, across two separate spells, and forged a glowing reputation as one of the Premier League’s most exciting, and prolific, stars.
His ambitions have been made perfectly clear again, however, and his memorable time with his boyhood club appears to be edging closer to an emotional farewell.
This time, it will likely be a permanent one.
‘I will always give 150 per cent to Crystal Palace but I’ll always be ambitious,’ he said. ‘If there are opportunities I will have a look at them.
Zaha’s latest admission has pointed towards a potential exit from Crystal Palace this summer
‘I want to play at the highest level and win trophies to show my kids.’
In the wake of his comments, Sportsmail has taken a look at who Zaha may join at the end of the season…
ARSENAL
Zaha himself admitted that he has been ‘very close’ to joining Arsenal in the past. His wish to make the step up to the upper reaches of the top flight looked set to finally be granted in 2019 – but, once again, a twist of fate intervened.
Arsenal, with both Zaha and then Lille wideman Nicolas Pepe on their shortlist, chose to sign the latter for £72m. Zaha’s disappointment has given way to an impressive turn of form this season, arguably the finest campaign in his career to date.
Before his injury, Zaha was thriving in a more central position. He may have even caused the Arsenal hierarchy to flinch when casting their minds back to the choice not to sign him a year and a half ago.
There is still time for them to correct their mistake, though. Pepe has endured an unsteady and frustrating time at the Emirates since signing, and Willian’s poor form has caused several question marks to be raised over him after his free switch.
Mikel Arteta could certainly do with another proven option on his flanks, and Zaha’s experience in the Premier League, coupled with his impressive statistics, may trigger Arsenal to re-ignite their interest sooner rather than later.
The talented forward came close to joining Arsenal in 2019, only for them to sign Nicolas Pepe
EVERTON
Another club who have fallen short in their pursuit of Zaha in the past is Everton.
The Merseyside outfit were not keen on splashing out the cash to sign the winger in 2019 either, but may have seen their interest piqued again after his latest admission.
Everton hold lofty ambitions and a fresh new direction under Carlo Ancelotti. This season, the Europa League looks an achievable goal. There can be no doubt, however, that the Italian is keen to guide them to the Champions League eventually.
The chance of helping Everton achieve their objectives, as well as the chance to flourish under Ancelotti’s tutelage, may be enough to convince Zaha to join.
He would likely fit straight in as a key player, and would provide another invaluable focal point as the club look to finally bring an end to their trophy drought.
Zaha’s desire for silverware appears to align perfectly with Carlo Ancelotti’s ambitious vision
TOTTENHAM
Having cemented his reputation as one of the finest performers outside of the traditional ‘Big Six’, Zaha is sure to have no shortage of clubs looking to poach him.
Among them may be Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham. The north London team have reportedly also been keeping tabs on Zaha’s progress over recent seasons.
While Mourinho has been accused of stifling the creativity of his forward players, the free-flowing combinations of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min point forwards an exciting fluidity that would suit Zaha perfectly.
There is certainly room for him in the squad. Uncertainty lingers over what lies ahead for Gareth Bale, while Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn have both struggled to deliver consistency this season.
Zaha’s ability to consistently churn out good numbers in the top flight, and his relentless energy across the front line, could see Mourinho move in for him.
Tottenham were also keen on signing Zaha and may re-ignite their interest again this summer
The uncertainty around Gareth Bale and several team-mates leaves the door open for Zaha
AC MILAN
Italian giants AC Milan were reportedly interested in luring Zaha across the continent last month – but ultimately failed to make an offer.
The Sun claimed that the Serie A club, who are firmly in the title race this season, believed Zaha would help them win the coveted crown for the first time in a decade.
His impressive exploits, which have come despite a lack of support in a struggling Palace team, caught the eye of the hierarchy in the Italian capital.
Zaha’s proven track record of shining in a competitive division, and standing head and shoulders above his team-mates, suggests he would flourish superbly abroad.
Milan’s fine season so far will likely see them qualify for the Champions League, meanwhile – an aspiration Zaha so clearly yearns for.
Zaha may even find himself heading to Italy with AC Milan reportedly hopeful of swooping in
MANCHESTER UNITED
This is a surprise choice, admittedly. On paper, though, the move does make sense.
Zaha was afforded his first big move away from Palace back in 2013. He joined Manchester United for £15m – but was quickly offloaded after a lack of opportunities.
The forward has recently spoken freely about the depression he felt at the club – and described being handed one training session to prove his worth to Louis van Gaal.
The picture at Old Trafford these days is very different, however. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has proved a much more affable and approachable coach.
He is someone who is receptive to second chances, and his desire for his forwards to interchange and relish in their flexibility is a freedom that would suit Zaha’s style.
United are still in need of a new wideman, and the return of Zaha this summer would unquestionably tick boxes for both the club and the player.
Zaha’s move to Manchester United in 2013 was a failure but both parties have since matured
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
The arrival of Mauricio Pochettino in Paris may see Zaha moving to the City of Light.
Pochettino was dismissed by Tottenham in November 2019 after his memorable reign came crashing down around him.
His axing meant that Spurs’ interest in Zaha, which was reportedly largely driven by him, was cooled – although Pochettino may seek to rekindle the swoop this summer.
PSG’s enviable resources will see Pochettino backed handsomely at the end of the season, and Zaha’s arrival would provide another boost to the club’s strike force.
While it is nigh on impossible that Zaha would be fielded ahead of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, the winger would likely thrive off the competition while being able to perform often on the biggest stage of them all.
Paris Saint-Germain are another European giant to have been touted to move for winger Zaha
Mauricio Pochettino, now the PSG boss, is believed to have wanted to sign Zaha at Tottenham
Share this article
Source: Read Full Article