Barcelona are in the running for Wilfried Zaha and will rival Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea for the Ivorian.
According to the Evening Standard, Barcelona are keen on Wilfried Zaha as a potential option for their attacking lineup. The Ivorian winger will be a free agent in the summer, with foreign clubs able to negotiate a pre-contract in January.
Wilfried Zaha is a solid option in the Bosman market next summer as he runs down his Crystal Palace contract. The Ivorian winger is at the peak of his powers and heading into a stage where he could negotiate a big contract with a move away from Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace would ideally prefer to keep him long-term, but much will depend on Zaha and his subsequent career steps. Either he can stay put and build a legacy at the club or target a big move with the hope of winning trophies.
There are plenty of clubs keeping tabs on his situation. Arsenal and Tottenham have shown interest, with the Gunners likely favoured if Zaha decides to leave. If Mikel Arteta’s side are to make an offer, Zaha might be open to joining them over other sides.
Meanwhile, Chelsea were considering a move in the January window, but now it seems Zaha might be a backup option for the Blues. The Stamford Bridge outfit might have other options on their list, which could let them keep Zaha as someone they can fall back on.
Meanwhile, there’s reported interest from Barcelona, as the Catalans may be searching for quality options with financial viability. Zaha will represent such a deal, with the Ivorian available on a free transfer next summer.
The Blaugrana spent huge sums on experienced stars last summer despite their financial conditions. They were able to pull through some deals and may look for bargain offers next time around. As an advantage, the Catalans can talk to the 29-year-old Premier League attacker in January and negotiate a pre-contract.
Signing for Barcelona is a dream for many footballers, and Zaha may harbour ambitions for a bigger club. The chance of winning trophies will be a significant factor for the 29-year-old Premier League attacker in making a future decision.
However, he has been a London player and may prefer to join a team in the Premier League. Hence a move to Arsenal or Chelsea would gain precedence. Yet, Barcelona are a massive club to turn down if they come with an offer.