The January transfer window has officially arrived. As per usual, rumours regarding a Wilfried Zaha transfer are swirling. GOAL reports that AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are the newest teams weighing up an offer for the Ivorian international.
The 28-year-old’s form in the first part of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign is scintillating. With eight goals and two assists from 14 matches, there is no wonder why some of the best clubs in Europe want him.
Roy Hodgson Positive Wilfried Zaha Transfer Will Not Materialize
Zaha’s Transfer History
The left-winger, who can also play on the right or in the centre of the attack, started his career at Selhurst Park. In the 2013 January transfer window, Zaha joined Manchester United for a fee of around 11 million pounds. He spent periods on loan back to Crystal Palace, as well as Cardiff. When he could not find his footing at Old Trafford, he permanently moved back to Selhurst Park for a measly £3 million.
Ever since his return to Crystal Palace, there have been rumours surrounding his signature. In 2019, before signing Nicolas Pepe, Arsenal offered 40 million pounds for the pacey attacker. Everton were also linked. This past summer, Borussia Dortmund and Monaco were eying up an offer. But, as is the perennial case with Zaha, an unnamed, hefty price-tag is what always keeps him in Croydon.
What Hodgson Said
In a recent press conference, Hodgson claimed: “There has been so much speculation regarding Wilf over the years that I tend to let those concerns disappear, as they often do… Wilf’s good and it doesn’t surprise me that there’s clubs out there who would like to sign him, but a lot of things have to be put in place before a player leaves a club.”
In regards to Zaha’s form, which dropped off last season, Hodgson said: “I’m just happy at the moment that Wilf is playing as he is, displaying his discipline and concentration and his passion for football and the club, and unless I’m given a reason to think otherwise, I expect that to keep going.”
Hodgson understands the inevitability of interest in Zaha. After all, a player of his talent, despite becoming a club legend, will want to play in European competition at some point. However, the 73-year-old manager knows that as of now, Zaha’s departure is unlikely. Interest is unavoidable, though truly considerable offers do not seem in the cards this month.
One of the financial effects coronavirus has on football is the decrease in the ability to splash the cash on transfers. Most clubs looked to fill in their needs in the summer transfer window. The January transfer window is more known for the smaller transfers anyway. If Crystal Palace have not lowered their roughly 50-million pound asking price, then any deal would be a true shocker.
There are no certainties in football, but Hodgson’s certainty in Zaha’s future with the club is beyond reasonable.
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