Sky Sports journalist James Savundra has claimed that Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha has probably missed out on the chance to join a top-six side.
What’s the word?
As things stand, the 30-year-old winger will see his contract with the Eagles expire in the summer, so he can join a new side at the end of the season for free.
Of course, if certain teams really wanted him, they could have pushed to make a deal happen this winter for a cut price. However, it looks as though he will at least see out his contract with Palace instead of leaving sooner.
And while a number of Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with him in the past, Savundra has suggested that his chance to join a top team may now have passed.
Indeed, while speaking on the Sky Sports Transfer Talk show, he said (57:35): “I think it’s fascinating what happens with him now. I think he’s probably missed the opportunity to go to a top-six club, but he’s only scored twice in the league since September.
“So I think if anything happened it would have been last summer. It’s a case of whether he sticks with Palace now or manages his expectations with a move this summer.”
Big decisions to make
Of course, Zaha has already spent time with a bid English side, having joined Manchester United after leaving Palace in 2013. However, things didn’t go well during that spell as he played just four times for the Red Devils, failing to score in that short period.
The Ivorian rekindled his career and rebuilt his reputation after returning to Selhurst Park and now into his thirties, it remains to be seen if he’ll be able to show his best at another club.
Zaha certainly has a big decision to make this summer. Indeed, if the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea do decide against a move for the winger, he may feel as though he’s better off renewing with Palace and committing his future there.
After all, he has played 450 times for the club, scoring 89 goals and providing 76 assists. Still, for the same reason, he might feel as though it is time for a change and perhaps an overseas opportunity could present itself. Barcelona has recently been named as a possible shock destination, though that feels a little far-fetched.