Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has admitted that the Eagles will do “everything possible” to keep hold of Wilfred Zaha amid interest from Chelsea and Arsenal.
Zaha has scored five goals in nine games this season, including the game-winning goal in Palace’s 2-1 victory over Wolves on Tuesday night. He is been in great form this season and so he continues to attract attention from the elite Premier League clubs.
The 29-year-old winger is widely regarded as one of the best Premier League players outside of the big six clubs in the league. Arsenal tried to sign the Ivory Coast international in 2019 after a disastrous year at Manchester United nearly ten years ago, but they were never able to match Palace’s £80 million asking price for the talisman.
Zaha’s name also frequently surfaced in the rumours over the summer, with reports claiming that the Gunners, Chelsea, and Roma were all interested in signing him. This is especially true considering that his contract expires in 2023.
Zaha, who has long-held dreams to play in Europe, was widely believed to leave Selhurst Park for free at the end of the season, but Vieira now suggests that may not be the case after all.
As reported by SkySports, Vieira said:
“There is speculation on all good players at the end of their contract. All we can do is show him the love we have for him. The way he’s been playing, I think he’s sending back the love as well.”
“There is no trouble or losing energy in that situation. We know how important he is to us and I think he understands that he’s a big player at this football club. We expect a lot from him and Wilfried loves to have that kind of pressure on his shoulders.
“We will see what will happen, but we will do everything now to keep him at our football club.”
With 14 goals scored in 2022, Zaha is one of the best players in the Premier League right now. Only the Tottenham combo of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, Brentford’s Ivan Toney, and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland scored more goals than Zaha this year.
With continued interest from the top clubs, it is expected that Zaha will put up his best showing against Everton on Saturday.
