- Jan 6, 2013
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http://www.squawka.com/news/tottenh...ilfried-zaha-as-palace-star-seeks-exit/851516
Tottenham plot January swoop for £25m Wilfried Zaha as Palace star seeks exit
By Greg Stobart
EXCLUSIVE
Tottenham are considering a fresh move for Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha in the January transfer window, Squawka understands.
Spurs had a £21 million bid for Zaha rejected in the summer but have continued to monitor the 24-year-old’s progress and have been impressed with his performances this season.
Zaha himself is keen on a move to Spurs having had his heart set on joining the club following a phone conversation with manager Mauricio Pochettino in August.
Palace refused to sell Zaha in the summer but the player believes he would thrive under Pochettino as he plans to take the next step in his career.
Spurs would have to pay at least £25m for Zaha, who is under contract until 2020, and club insiders believe they are unlikely to make any major signings in January due to the difficulty in signing players mid-season.
Pochettino would like to sign a direct winger and a young playmaker to strengthen a squad that has struggled in the final third this season, scoring 24 times in 15 Premier League matches.
The Argentine believes he could build on Zaha’s excellent form so far this season, with the winger scoring three goals and providing six assists in 14 Premier League matches in a struggling Palace side.
Zaha would also provide Premier League experience while his age means he fits in with chairman Daniel Levy’s policy of signing players who will not lose their value in the transfer market.
For his part, Zaha feels he is ready to move to a bigger club but will make any decision carefully having failed to make an impact at Manchester United after his £15m move from Palace to Old Trafford in 2013.
Zaha told Palace chairman Steve Parish that he wanted to join Tottenham in the summer and White Hart Lane remains his preferred destination if the clubs can agree a fee.
One potential complication in January is Zaha’s decision to switch his allegiance from England to the Ivory Coast national team, meaning he is expected to play in the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon in January.
After missing out on Zaha, Spurs signed 27-year-old Moussa Sissoko for £30m on transfer deadline day in the summer and sources say they are already regretting the decision to bring him to the club.
The Frenchman has largely been used as a substitute in recent weeks and has even been left out of Pochettino’s 18-man matchday squad on three occasions. There is no suggestion of a January transfer but the recruitment team are already looking to sign an alternative winger.
Tottenham plot January swoop for £25m Wilfried Zaha as Palace star seeks exit
By Greg Stobart
EXCLUSIVE
Tottenham are considering a fresh move for Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha in the January transfer window, Squawka understands.
Spurs had a £21 million bid for Zaha rejected in the summer but have continued to monitor the 24-year-old’s progress and have been impressed with his performances this season.
Zaha himself is keen on a move to Spurs having had his heart set on joining the club following a phone conversation with manager Mauricio Pochettino in August.
Palace refused to sell Zaha in the summer but the player believes he would thrive under Pochettino as he plans to take the next step in his career.
Spurs would have to pay at least £25m for Zaha, who is under contract until 2020, and club insiders believe they are unlikely to make any major signings in January due to the difficulty in signing players mid-season.
Pochettino would like to sign a direct winger and a young playmaker to strengthen a squad that has struggled in the final third this season, scoring 24 times in 15 Premier League matches.
The Argentine believes he could build on Zaha’s excellent form so far this season, with the winger scoring three goals and providing six assists in 14 Premier League matches in a struggling Palace side.
Zaha would also provide Premier League experience while his age means he fits in with chairman Daniel Levy’s policy of signing players who will not lose their value in the transfer market.
For his part, Zaha feels he is ready to move to a bigger club but will make any decision carefully having failed to make an impact at Manchester United after his £15m move from Palace to Old Trafford in 2013.
Zaha told Palace chairman Steve Parish that he wanted to join Tottenham in the summer and White Hart Lane remains his preferred destination if the clubs can agree a fee.
One potential complication in January is Zaha’s decision to switch his allegiance from England to the Ivory Coast national team, meaning he is expected to play in the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon in January.
After missing out on Zaha, Spurs signed 27-year-old Moussa Sissoko for £30m on transfer deadline day in the summer and sources say they are already regretting the decision to bring him to the club.
The Frenchman has largely been used as a substitute in recent weeks and has even been left out of Pochettino’s 18-man matchday squad on three occasions. There is no suggestion of a January transfer but the recruitment team are already looking to sign an alternative winger.