Crystal Palace would be ‘open to negotiating’ Wilfried Zaha’s potential exit amid growing speculation over his future, according to journalist Simon Phillips.
The 29-year-old is attracting attention from Chelsea late on in the transfer window and could depart his boyhood club for a second time following an unsuccessful stint with Manchester United.
What is the latest news involving Zaha?
Ed Aarons of The Guardian has claimed that Zaha is ‘one of several players who has been discussed’ by the Chelsea hierarchy in recent days as they plot ways to improve their attack.
It’s believed that Barcelona’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is still the west London outfit’s priority, but Palace’s talisman is also an option on Thomas Tuchel’s wish list.
And Miguel Delaney of The Independent has backed up those claims, stating that Chelsea have ‘revived their interest’ in Zaha while Palace have so far been ‘hugely resistant’ to any attempt for him.
The Ivory Coast international has entered the final year of his current £130,000-per-week contract, though, leaving the Eagles in a precarious position around the negotiating table.
Patrick Vieira’s charges risk losing Zaha on a free transfer next summer if he isn’t sold before Thursday's deadline or doesn’t put pen to paper on fresh terms, meaning Palace could be forced into selling up.
What has Phillips said about Zaha?
Palace were once heavily reliant on Zaha, yet the arrivals of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Odsonne Edouard have eased the burden on his shoulders over the last couple of campaigns.
Nevertheless, Phillips still believes the south London outfit would need to ‘source a replacement’ for him, complicating any potential switch to Chelsea given how close deadline day is.
He told GiveMeSport: “They would be open to negotiating, but unfortunately now, the longer it goes on, as we reach the last few days of the window, that would become less likely because they would have to source a replacement.”
How big a loss would Zaha be?
Last term, Zaha scored 14 goals in 33 Premier League games, his highest total in a single season, firing Palace to a 12th-placed finish.
And the immensely talented star has started the current campaign in equally as impressive form, finding the back of the net on three occasions in his opening three top-flight appearances.
Losing him so late in the window could prove to be a disaster for Palace, therefore, and Vieira will surely be desperate to retain his services for the foreseeable future.