Alex Stewart discussed Wilfried Zaha’s future during a recent edition of Tifo Football’s Sensible Transfers show.
It was reported as recently as last month that the 27-year-old is hoping to leave Crystal Palace this summer (via the Independent). Zaha returned to Selhurst Park permanently from Manchester United in 2015 for a reported fee of £3.42m (via Transfermarkt). The Ivorian international has made a total of 362 appearances for the Eagles, scoring 57 goals and providing his teammates with 70 assists.
Despite the player’s clear desire to move on, Stewart isn’t entirely convinced a transfer away from South London will materialise for the winger. Here is what he had to say:
“I think Zaha is a really tricky one in terms of the fact that the price that Crystal Palace are mooted to be looking for – because he is such a central figure to them – is really quite high for a player that is now probably past, or at, his athletic peak.”
“I can understand why clubs are still linked with him, I think he’s not probably quite good enough now to go to a club that would be able to pay the sort of fee that Palace are interested in and I think he probably will just end up staying there.”
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Crystal Palace finished in 14th place on the Premier League table this season. Zaha made 38 appearances in the top-flight, contributing four goals and five assists. Zaha notably featured in a Premier League win over Manchester United at Old Trafford back in August 2019. He also appeared and assisted in Palace’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in January and scored a goal versus Chelsea in July.
Despite the fact that Zaha has proven that he can impact games against some of the league’s biggest clubs, Stewart appears to be doubtful that anybody will meet Crystal Palace’s asking price for the player. According to Transfermarkt, he is currently valued at £39.6m but last year, it was suggested that an offer of £100m was required in order for the Eagles to part company with their star man.