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Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is ‘hopeful’ that star man Wilfried Zaha will sign a new deal at the club, according to reliable journalist Matt Woosnam.
The Lowdown: Zaha’s future up in the air
The 30-year-old is widely regarded as the Eagles’ best player over the past decade, making over 450 appearances to date and also scoring well over 80 goals along the way.
This season, Zaha has continued to be an important figure for Palace this season, netting many times in the Premier League, but speculation has surrounded his future at Selhurst Park.
The Ivorian is out of contract at the end of the campaign, meaning if he doesn’t sign an extension he will be able to leave on a free transfer.
The Latest: Confidence regarding new deal
Taking to Twitter, The Athletic‘s Woosnam has relayed that Vieira is confident that Zaha will end up remaining at Palace beyond the summer transfer window:
“Patrick Vieira is hopeful that Wilfried Zaha will sign a new contract and stay at Palace. Zaha is available for the trip to Aston Villa tomorrow after returning from a hamstring injury.”
The Verdict: Would be huge news
The idea of Zaha committing his long-term future to Palace is a mouth-watering one, considering what a huge presence he still is after all these years.
The 30-cap Ivory Coast international is a match-winner who possesses so much pace and trickery out wide and losing him this summer would be such a blow.
Ally McCoist has hailed Zaha as ‘absolutely outstanding’ and Palace will always be stronger with him around, so it is imperative that he extends his stay.
Granted, the £130,000-a-week winger’s head may still be turned by a move to one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs but Palace is very much his team and the hope is that he sees out his career there.
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