Wilfried Zaha: Champions League clubs eyeing free transfer amid contract standoff

Business

Wilfried Zaha is assessing his future options with less than a year left on his contract with Crystal Palace and is the subject of heavy interest from several of Europe’s top sides, 90min understands.

The winger is sure to go down in history as one of the Eagles‘ best ever – if not the best – players, but he could leave Selhurst Park for the second time in his career in the near future.

Following a disappointing spell at Manchester United – making just four appearances for the Red Devils after joining in 2013 – Zaha made his initial loan return to Palace permanent in 2015 and has since played a huge role in keeping them afloat in the Premier League.

Now in the final year of his deal, Palace would ideally like Zaha to stay, but 90min understands that the contract offer on the table has been largely unchanged since first proposed two years ago.

Zaha’s dream is to play Champions League football and plenty of the competition’s regular participants would be interested in signing him on a free transfer come the end of the season.


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90min reported in August that Chelsea were keen on signing Zaha before the end of the summer transfer window, and though a move never materialised, the Blues remain interested in his services.

Arsenal are being kept informed of Zaha’s situation with Mikel Arteta believed to be an admirer of his, while Liverpool are also aware of his contract standoff with Palace and are among several other sides who could make a move later down the line.

On the continent, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Inter have kept a watchful eye on Zaha’s progress and would have the advantage of being able to negotiate a free transfer from January onwards.

It’s possible that Palace could choose to sell Zaha in the January window, though it would depend on their position in the league table and they would likely keep him if they were in danger of slipping into a relegation battle.