AS Roma have spoken to Wilfried Zaha’s camp about a potential move for the Crystal Palace star.
That’s according to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness).
The lowdown
The key detail here is that Zaha’s contract expires in less than 12 months’ time. Unless he signs a new deal, he will be able to negotiate terms with a foreign club as soon as January.
Worryingly, The Daily Mail reported earlier this year that the 29-year-old is not planning to sign an extension and could be willing to let his current agreement run down.
Zaha, who is the highest earner at Selhurst Park on £130,000 per week, was the Eagles’ top scorer last season with 15 goals in all competitions.
The latest
Corriere dello Sport reported (via Sport Witness) that Roma, who will be competing in the Europa League next season, have ‘made a move’ for Zaha by holding talks with his representatives over a possible transfer.
There’s ‘nothing concrete’ yet in terms of a bid, but the report does share Palace’s demands. They’ll apparently be willing to let the Ivorian leave if they receive an offer of €20m (£16.9m).
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The verdict
There’s no doubt that Zaha is a Crystal Palace legend. Between 2015/16 and 2017/18, the forward won the Players’ Player of the Year Award on three successive occasions.
Also, he is just three goals shy of leapfrogging Andy Johnson and moving into the top 10 on Palace’s all-time goalscorering list.
Eagles manager Patrick Vieira has described him as a ‘winner’, while the Frenchman’s assistant Osian Roberts said that the Ivory Coast international has a ‘major part to play‘ in the team’s success.
Losing him would be a blow, but there may not be too much that Crystal Palace can do at this stage, given the contract impasse up to this point.
