Manchester City are lining up an offer to sign Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha this summer. According to recent reports, the Citizens are interested in securing the services of the Ivory Coast winger when the transfer window reopens in the summer. It is understood that the 25-year-old speedster is a transfer target for a whole host of clubs which includes Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool who are all in pursuit of his signature.
Zaha had previously failed to cut the mustard at Manchester United but he has had a change in fortunes after his move to Selhurst Park. The 25-year-old has been in fine form for Palace during the course of this season and has put in a number of match-winning displays which has helped the Eagles avoid relegation this term. The Ivory Coast international has scored 8 goals and created 5 assists in 28 appearances for Roy Hodgson’s side in the English top-flight.
His outstanding contributions have not gone unnoticed as City are eager to acquire Zaha’s services ahead of the new season. Some sources have recently claimed that Pep Guardiola has sent scouts to catch the Palace forward in action on several occasions this season with a potential £50m swoop looks set to be on the cards.
The Ivory Coast international put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Eagles last summer. In a recent interview following Palace’s victory over West Bromwich Albion in the final gameweek of the season, Zaha addressed his future and was quoted to have said, “I have no plans on leaving. I’m enjoying my football, you can see how much I’m enjoying it. This is my home and there’s no reason for me to leave.”
The Eagles boss Roy Hodgson also weighed in on Zaha’s situation and added, “Wilf knows exactly how we value him as a player and as a person because he’s an important figure for us.
“He has a long-term contract and is one of our best-paid players, and the last thing on anyone’s mind here is letting him go.
“As far as I’m concerned, until a day comes where an offer is made that the club accepts, that speculation can wash over my head.”
The potential acquisition of Zaha will undoubtedly bolster Guardiola’s attacking options ahead of the new season. Manchester City have an array of attacking talents which include Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Bernardo Silva and Sergio Aguero competing for a place in the Citizens’ first-team. The addition of Zaha will add more competition for places within Guardiola’s squad and improve their options going into the new campaign.
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The 25-year-old talent is quite versatile and can operate on either flank or as a centre-forward up top which makes him a perfect fit for the Citizens. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Zaha and whether City are successful in convincing him to make a switch to the Etihad Stadium this summer.
