Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace, Eagles, Selhurst Park, Premier League
Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha could leave the club as a free agent next summer, according to journalist Tom Barclay.
The Lowdown: Zaha rumours
Speculation regarding the player’s future was a hot topic once again over the summer, with Chelsea believed to be keen on the 29-year-old’s services. The Blues were thought to be weighing up a late summer swoop for the Ivorian but, as we know, Zaha remained a Palace player.
However, he is now into the final 12 months of his current contract in south London, so rumours may only gather pace regarding his future.
The Latest: Barclay’s comments
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Barclay had his say on Zaha after ‘noises’ that he has heard from Selhurst Park, believing that the forward may well ‘leave on a free next summer’ to join ‘an elite club’.
The reporter stated:
“The noises I’ve got, not to say that this is what’s going to happen, is that the most likely outcome at the moment is that he will leave on a free next summer.
“Obviously, he’d stand to make a lot of money from any move he would make with the signing-on fee and wages.
“Also, being a free transfer, he may finally get that move to an elite club, not to disparage Palace, which he’s pushed for many times over the years. That probably seems the most likely outcome at the moment.”
Is Zaha Palace's best-ever player?
Yes, hands down!
No, not quite!
The Verdict: Big call to make
Zaha has been Palace’s star man for a number of years now, so potentially losing him on a free transfer is a worry for the Eagles. He has once again been the club’s best performing player so far this season (as per WhoScored), so Steve Parish and co may have a big decision to make over the coming months.
Should the player not want to sign new terms at Selhurst Park, the Eagles could well consider cashing in on the £34.2m-rated forward in the New Year.
That could be a gamble for Patrick Vieira’s squad, so Palace officials may need to weigh up the pros and cons of the possibility of selling the player midway through the current campaign to avoid losing him for nothing in less than 12 months’ time.
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