Time to pass on Zaha?

Wilfried Zaha

Wilfried Zaha

There are a few surprises regarding Wilfried Zaha’s reported desire to leave Crystal Palace but in the main, the shock concerns the reported transfer fee. When the news broke on Thursday, it was claimed that the Eagles were looking for some £80 million for their attacking midfielder while on Friday, that had risen to something in the region of £100 million.

Those numbers seem implausible, to say the least but, as Zaha has been linked with Spurs for a number of seasons now, it seems like a good time to run the rule over a possible deal.

Battling Clubs

If you believe the rumours and why wouldn’t we (!), Tottenham face a battle for Wilfried Zaha this summer. Other interested clubs include Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal plus a small selection of overseas sides.

The fact that the player has expressed an interest in playing in the Champions League has inevitably meant that practically all UCL teams, plus United and Arsenal, have been mentioned in dispatches. All would seem likely destinations, were it not for that quoted fee which, as good as Zaha may be, looks a trifle on the high side.

The notion of a move to former club Manchester United is particularly interesting because they are due a payment via a sell on clause. We’re not quite sure how that works if they buy their own former player but there we go – who cares.

Is he worth it?

It would be hard to see Spurs shelling out £80 million on any player right now but is it realistic for Wilfried Zaha to eventually be sold for that figure. The circumstances of his sale back to Palace from United are open to some lurid conjecture but the truth is he just wasn’t effective when moving to a bigger club.

In two years at Old Trafford, Zaha made just two appearances in the league and four overall before returning to Crystal Palace. He’s since re-established himself at Selhurst Park and has done much to keep the Eagles in the top flight and his departure will leave a big hole but will anyone take on Wilfried Zaha?

At £80 million we would suggest not: He’s the type of player that could slot in at the new White Hart Lane and give the team a lift next season. However, given his disappointing spell with Manchester United, any move would surely be seen as a punt and one that can’t be worth taking at that sort of price…

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