Hodgson admits Everton target could leave

In an interview today, Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has admitted that supposed Everton target Wilfried Zaha could leave Selhurst Park this summer.

Everton have long been associated with another move for Zaha after a proposed transfer broke down last summer and this is the latest twist in a story that persists.

The interview was carried on TalkSport and the Palace boss admitted that although he wants Zaha to stay, the Ivory Coast player might leave if the right offer came in.

This is the first time I can remember the Palace manager has really addressed this ongoing issue with his player. It’s clear from his comments that his talisman is keen to leave.

Last summer when the Blues were chasing his signature, it was clear Palace were very reluctant to let their prized asset leave and slapped a ludicrous £80 million price tag on him.

That decision ultimately meant any deal was dead in the water as rightly Everton were not prepared to pay that sort of money for Zaha, or probably anyone else.

The Palace forward has started the season really well and has been instrumental in the south London club’s 100% start to the season.

Like the Toffees, Palace have begun the campaign in fine form and produced perhaps the best result of the weekend, beating Manchester United comfortably at Old Trafford, with the 27-year-old netting twice to give the Eagles a 3-1 win.

I don’t know whether the Blues are really interested in signing Zaha or if Carlo Ancelotti has other, or indeed any, targets in mind for strengthening his forward line.

Obviously the Ivory Coast player is a very good footballer with qualities that would certainly give Everton a significant further boost in attacking potency and take the pressure of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, who are still the Toffees main goal scorers.

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He has pace, power, skill and finishing ability and can play anywhere across the front line, giving his manager a wide variety of options.

Zaha would be comfortable playing in a front three and the prospect of him lining up alongside Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison with James Rodriguez operating behind them to provide the ammunition, would be truly mouth watering.

He would also allow Everton to play other formations as he can operate as a central striker. This would also mean that if Calvert-Lewin was unavailable from injury or suspension, Zaha could replace him.

Palace though aren’t going to let him go on the cheap and so even in this financial climate any deal would probably still cost more than the Toffees are willing or able to pay, in this window.

In addition, Everton have other forward options who might not be as versatile, but will cost the club far less. In particular, Leon Bailey. The Blues would now seem to be the only serious suitor who might want to sign the Jamaican forward, after Spurs loan move for Gareth Bale.