Manchester City are reportedly ready to challenge Tottenham for the signature of Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
The Daily Mail report that Manchester City have asked to be ‘kept in the loop’ regarding the possible summer departure of star winger Wilfried Zaha.
Previously seen as an inconsistent winger who lacks end product, the Ivorian has blossomed this season, turning into the player that Manchester United thought they were signing from Palace back in 2013.
The 24-year-old has notched six goals and nine assists in 28 Premier League games this season, serving as Palace’s leading light against relegation to the Championship.
Unsurprisingly, Zaha’s exploits are now attracting interest, and The Mirror claimed last month that, having failed with moves to land Zaha last summer and in January, Spurs were confident of finally sealing a big-money deal for one of Mauricio Pochettino’s long-term targets this summer.
Manchester City’s interest may throw a spanner in the works, but, if given the choice between two of the Premier League’s top clubs, he should be looking to move to Spurs instead.
Zaha has already endured one miserable spell in Manchester during his time with United, and the winger even revealed to The Sun in 2015 that he was lonely and unhappy in Manchester, leading to his return to London and Palace.
A return to Manchester therefore seems unlikely with such bad memories of his time in the north, whereas joining Tottenham would enable him to remain in London – and ultimately play more first-team football under a manager who has pursued his signature for some time now.
Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha
If there’s one thing Spurs have been lacking, it’s pace in wide areas. Full backs Danny Rose and Kyle Walker have bombed forward well, but an out-and-out winger could provide even greater service to star striker Harry Kane, and Zaha would fit the bill given Moussa Sissoko’s struggles and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou’s minimal impact.
However, at Manchester City, Zaha would most likely be brought in as cover for Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling, two pacey wingers who are viewed as the future of the club under Pep Guardiola. Heading to the Etihad Stadium in such conditions would make Zaha akin to Shaun Wright-Phillips after his move to Chelsea; an exciting, speedy winger moving to a title challenger despite limited opportunities.
With Pochettino moulding an excellent Tottenham side, they are just as likely to win the title as Manchester City are, and the same goes for Champions League football. The money on offer at City is likely to be greater than what Daniel Levy will pay at Spurs, but in terms of playing time, working with a manager who believes in him and geographically, Tottenham may just be the best move for Zaha to make this summer.
Do you think Zaha should choose Tottenham or Manchester City if given the choice?
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