OPINION
Tottenham Hotspur fans would have been over the moon by the arrival of the talented attacker Wilfred Zaha from Crystal Palace – but that delight was put to an abrupt end after his club slapped a jaw dropping £70 million price tag on his services.
Spurs would have become even more of an attacking force to be reckoned with if Zaha – who stands at 5″9 (source: Transfermarkt) – made the move to North London.
However, what makes Crystal Palace think that their man is worth such an astonishing amount of money?
Crystal Palace obviously want to hang on to the 25-year-old for as long as they can, so it is a clever move to value him at such a high figure to fend off any potential suitors but there is a problem with making a move like that – he just is not worth that much.
The Evening Standard understand that the Eagles have no intention of offloading their star player, and are even preparing to offer Zaha a new contract.
The Ivory Coast born winger performed at a high level last season, scoring in the 2-1 win against Chelsea, as well as in the derby against bitter rivals Brighton – he certainly has an eye for goal, netting 9 in total, by using his speed to beat defenders.
On his day, he is an outstanding player but never in the world a £70 million one.
There are plenty of other players in the Premier League who possess the same qualities as him, yet do not warrant the same price tag – take Brighton’s Anthony Knockaert for instance.
It is no wonder Tottenham have been put off the asking price – and they are right to sever any kind of link to his potential arrival, not even giving Palace the chance to think they would get that sort of money.
It seems as though Eagles will not be letting go of their top asset any time soon, but this will not worry Spurs in the slightest.
He is good – but not £70 million good – give it a couple of years and he may be on his way to being regarded at this value.