Should Everton now make a move for Zaha?
Reports in the Sun today is claiming that Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha has turned down a new contract offer and Everton are one of the clubs being linked with a move for him this summer.
The paper say Palace had tabled an improved contract offer worth £125,000 a week but Zaha has decided he won’t sign the new deal and that has alerted several sides including Everton.
This is a rumour we’ve heard before with the Blues being mentioned as interested in signing the Ivory Coast international back in May.
According to the Sun Tottenham are in the driving seat in terms of other clubs who might make a move for him. Spurs can offer Champions League football next season, which would probably be a major incentive.
Another problem is the fee being quoted for the player of around £70 million. That’s way above what Everton are likely to be able to pay for anyone.
Still the Blues could give Zaha a virtually guaranteed starting place in the first team. And with the offloading of several players on high wages including Wayne Rooney, there should be some cash to spare.
So should Everton make a move for him?
One thing to remember is that Zaha struggled when he did move to a ‘big club’ back in 2013 after he signed for Manchester United.
He couldn’t force his way into the team and eventually returned to south London re-joining Palace two years later.
Of course Zaha is a more mature and more confident player than he was back then. It was a classic example of a talented youngster making a big move too soon.
But there is an aspect to this in that Zaha does seem to thrive as a big fish in a small pond. He enjoys being his sides’ most important player something that is not possible when you are surrounded by other high-profile talent.
He was undoubtedly Palace’s most valuable player last season. Zaha produced some outstanding performances as the Eagles survived relegation.
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His stats back this up as he scored nine goals and created three assists in 2017-18.
We’ve said before that Zaha would represent just the sort of footballer Everton need. His pace, power, creative skill and goal threat would represent a major addition to the team.
But given the Blues revamped transfer strategy and the need to sell first it doesn’t seem as though the club will be making any bold moves in the transfer market anytime soon.
In addition the fact that a club such as Tottenham are also almost certain to be in for him make it highly unlikely Everton will get him.
Next: Is Blues pursuit of Mina over?
So even if the brains trust at Goodison is considering moving for the Palace forward I very much doubt he’ll be in a royal blue shirt next season.