Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has shortlisted former Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha and will attempt to sign him from Crystal Palace in the summer.
The Sun are claiming that Manchester City are seeking a summer move for Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha. The former Manchester United winger has been in imperious form, drawing interest from the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and others. And, it seems the Citizens have joined the race.
City have not just joined the race but Pep Guardiola has made the winger a top priority summer target for the club. The manager is eyeing a massive squad shakeup at Etihad in the summer to turn his side into a title contender next season.
Wilfried Zaha has had a very mixed bag of a footballing career so far. Catapulting to fame at Crystal Palace, Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to Old Trafford, beating Arsenal to land the winger. However, the legendary boss retired and the arrival of David Moyes saw Zaha playing a withdrawn role at the club.
He was then loaned back to Crystal Palace, who ended up signing him back on a permanent basis. And, at Palace, he has regained his form and is back to his destructive best, with great numbers – 6 goals and 9 assists in 27 league appearances this season.
Wilfried Zaha is a shock target for Manchester City as part of Pep Guardiola’s summer overhaul. (Source: Sun on Sunday) pic.twitter.com/tB32FMC2Ln
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) April 9, 2017
And his form is what has attracted the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and now, Manchester City. Pep Guardiola is likely to lose Jesus Navas and Yaya Toure – both of whose contracts are up for expiry in the summer.
Manchester City do have Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Nolito as the current options but the addition of Wilfried Zaha would equip the Citizens with a player who has a similar skill-set to the aforementioned stars while having the strength to not buckle down to the physical presence of defenders in the Premier League.
It would be interesting, however, as to which project Zaha chooses. A move to either Liverpool or Manchester City would spite United fans while a move to Tottenham could be the perfect opportunity, with Pochettino looking to replace the underperforming Moussa Sissoko.
Manchester City are plotting a £25 million summer move for Zaha, around the same amount of offer Tottenham and Liverpool were speculated to be ready to offer to land the Ivory Coast international. With so many high-profile clubs interested in Zaha, Palace’s hand may be forced.
However, the fee at hand is likely to be at Palace’s perusal, with Zaha’s deal running till 2020. But, Zaha is likely to depart the club in the summer, regardless of the destination and the fee.
