Kevin Hatchard says it ‘makes sense’ for Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target Wilfried Zaha to secure a move to Barcelona when his Crystal Palace contract expires.
The 30-year-old has put some of Europe’s top teams on alert ahead of the summer window, including the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, with his current deal at Selhurst Park running out in less than six months.
European football expert Hatchard says it ‘makes sense’ for the all-action winger to sign for La Liga giants, Barcelona, with Xavi looking at players of his quality.
It has been well-documented in previous transfer windows that Arsenal wanted to sign Zaha, but in the end, a move didn’t happen and he stayed put.
He tasted the elite before when he signed for Manchester United as a youngster, that was a long time ago and he is a different player now.
Either way, ahead of a possible move this summer, Euro football expert Hatchard shared his thoughts on Zaha’s future, as he told The Transfer Show on Sky Sports.
“He has been linked with Borussia Dortmund in lots of different windows,” said Hatchard. “It’s quite a departure from what they would normally do.
“But, of course, they did bring in Haller in the summer, who is a little older and somebody who has had a proven track record. He has been linked with Barcelona recently because they have to be more savvy than they have been in the past. That’s the kind of free transfer that would make a lot of sense for them. Xavi wants those options wide, players who can play down the middle and do damage wide.
“He’s still a really good player. A proven Premier League player at a club that hasn’t always had the framework for him to shine. But he has still done it and taken on that responsibility.
“What we don’t know is that if you take him out of that Palace environment. Are you going to get the same player?”
ZAHA SHOULD TAKE THE CHANCE
There’s no doubt that Zaha is an outstanding performer for Palace and a player who is punching above his weight at Palace.
On one hand, those at Selhurst Park want him to stay and help develop the club that is trying to transform under the legendary figure, Patrick Vieira.
Those outside chances of winning a trophy or securing European football in years to come increase if Zaha signs a new deal.
But, on the other hand, he deserves that one final shot at playing for a team in the Champions League and proving his worth against the elite players.
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