Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace

Premier League • England

Insider delivers Champions League verdict on Crystal Palace fan favourite as Tottenham, Liverpool lurk

Eberechi Eze, Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace, October 2022

Transfer insider David Ornstein has relayed a belief that Wilfried Zaha could leave at the end of his Crytsal Palace contract to play Champions League football.

Zaha has been one of the most influential players in the Eagles’ side for years. Following a failed spell at Manchester United, he has made up for lost time back at Selhurst Park.

In total, Zaha has scored 88 goals and provided 74 assists in 439 games for Palace. What’s more, he is the club’s leading goalscorer in the Premier League, with 66, over 30 more than the second-placed player.

There is no doubt that the Ivory Coast international will go down as a Palace legend. The hope for Eagles fans, though, will be that he sees out the rest of his career at the club.

Speculation over a move away from Selhurst Park is not uncommon for Zaha. But his current form has meant that those links are getting more frequent.

Indeed, Zaha is one of the most in-form players in the Premier League at present. He is one of the top goalscorers in the league this calendar year, and during this campaign he has notched five goals and an assist in nine games.

Palace have scored 12 league goals this term, meaning he has contributed to half.

Recently, there have been links between him and Tottenham. Those links stemmed from talkSPORT presenter Gabby Agbonlahor, who stated the Ivorian “starts at Spurs”.

There have also previously been links to the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal.

Lately, Liverpool’s name has been thrown into the mix. Indeed, a move to any of those sides would be massive for Zaha, but would seem deserved given how long he has performed at Palace.

Insider relays Zaha contract belief

Transfer insider Ornstein has relayed a message that Zaha could see out his contract with Palace in order to make a big move to another side.

“There’ll be a number of clubs who will look at him and wonder if they can get him for nothing in the summer of 2023. There’ll be conversations I’m sure. Many in the game feel he’ll hold out and go as a free-agent and play in the Champions League,” he said on Rio Ferdinand presents FIVE.

“Palace would dearly love to sign Zaha to sign him to a new contract I’m sure. But with free agency looming and he’s never had that big move that many anticipated.”

Indeed, Zaha is a fan favourite and one of Palace’s most important stars. However, his contract is up at the end of the season, and the links away from the side may be too strong for him to turn his nose up at.

Palace ready for fight

Palace will know they will have a fight on their hands to keep hold of Zaha. The winger is 29, and the next few seasons may be his last at the peak of his powers.

With big sides sniffing around now, it would be no surprise if he opts to see out his deal and move elsewhere. A move to any of Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool would be a step up.

Patrick Vieira said ahead of Palace’s game against Everton that he feels all his side can do is show Zaha how important he is.

“The only thing we can do is show him the love and I think he’s sending back the love,” he said via BBC Sport.

Whether that is enough for Vieira’s side to keep hold of their prized asset remains to be seen.