Wilfried Zaha is a transfer target for Arsenal and Chelsea ahead of his contract with Crystal Palace expiring this June. But Darren Ambrose doubts the forward gets in Mikel Arteta’s XI.
Ambrose has told talkSPORT, which reports the Gunners’ interest, that Zaha would make a good squad player for Arteta. He is also confident that the 30-year-old has the skills to play for any top-four Premier League side. Yet the Eagles risk seeing him leave the club for free.
The signs point to Zaha and Crystal Palace parting ways once his £130k-a-week terms end on June 30. He has not shown a willingness to agree to a new contract to extend his career at Selhurst Park. This summer will also likely be the Ivorian’s last chance to join a top team.
A number of European clubs have shown varying degrees of interest in a Bosman move for the 30-cap international. But Arteta is a fan of what Zaha has shown for Crystal Palace and Chelsea have explored rivalling Arsenal for his transfer if the forward sees his contract out.
Tottenham will rival Arsenal for a free transfer if Zaha leaves Crystal Palace
Reports by London World have also suggested Tottenham Hotspur will target a transfer for Zaha. Spurs are also increasingly confident of securing a deal as the north London team are willing to increase his wage. They have even reached out to the forward’s representatives.
Zaha is still to decide his future as the winger is torn between chasing a big payday with a Champions League team and staying in London. He has never played a match in the UEFA competition. He also only featured four times for Manchester United whilst with the club.
Crystal Palace re-signed Zaha from the Red Devils for £3m, plus add-ons, in 2015 after two years at Old Trafford. He had cost Manchester United £10m, rising up to £15m. But he only played 167 minutes over a Community Shield game, an EFL Cup tie and two league games.
Ambrose backs the Eagles forward to play for a top Premier League side again
His efforts at Selhurst Park have often been instrumental for the Eagles, though. So far this season, Zaha has six goals and two assists over 19 Premier League fixtures. And Ambrose believes his former Crystal Palace teammate has what it takes to play for a top team again.
“It’s so difficult because if he doesn’t move this summer, I think that’s him going to be at Crystal Palace for the rest of his career,” Ambrose said. “I’ve said this many times and I’m going to say it again, I think he gets into any squad in the Premier League.
“I’m not saying he would walk into the Man City or Arsenal teams. But he’s good enough to be in the squads of those clubs. Nobody walks into a starting XI unless you’re Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo back in the day. Everyone has to prove themselves.
“Speaking with my Crystal Palace connections, hopefully Zaha does sign a new contract. But if I put a neutral head on, he’s only 30 and I’d still love to see how far he can get in the game. I think he could play for a top-four side in the Premier League, I really do.”
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