Zaha has been linked with a move to Spurs.
Crystal Palace’s record signing Christian Benteke has told the Mirror that he has already been trying to convince Wilfried Zaha to turn down a move to Tottenham Hotspur and instead stay at Crystal Palace.
Benteke joined the Eagles earlier this month for an initial fee of £27 million, and upon his arrival he suggested that the club’s style of football, which is based heavily around focusing attacking play down the wings, was a big factor in his decision to join.
Palace have already lost one of their key stars in an attacking midfield position this summer with the sale of Yannick Bolasie to Everton, and they look set for a fight to hold on to another in Zaha.
Spurs have made official enquiries about the former Manchester United man and saw an initial approach, in which they proposed a deal worth around £12 million, comprehensively dismissed by the Eagles.
As reported by HITC Sport earlier on Monday, the North London club have come back in with a second offer increased to around £18 million for the England man, but Palace are still expected to rebuff the approach.
Benteke is anxious not to see another of his new attacking teammates depart Selhurst Park, and told the Mirror that although he has only been at the club for a little over a week, he has already started work on convincing Zaha to stay.
The Belgian striker said: “I came to Palace because of the way that they play.
“Everyone knows Wilf’s ability on the ball and he helped us a lot when he came on [in the draw with Bournemouth on Saturday].
“Of course we’d like him to stay. I’ve tried to convince him to stay, but that’s football.”
Benteke did not sound entirely convinced that his efforts to persuade Zaha to snub a potential move would be successful, but Palace fans will be hoping their winger does stay.
The hole left by Yannick Bolasie had been preemptively filled by Alan Pardew when he brought in Andros Townsend from Newcastle, but to lose Zaha so late in the transfer window would be a big blow.
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