Crystal Palace boss Hodgson: Wilf Zaha has made it clear that he would relish a move
BY ANDREW MCSTEEN
Roy Hodgson has spoken about Wilfried Zaha’s future ahead of the opening of the summer transfer window – with the Crystal Palace attacker once again expected to the subject of speculation.
Arsenal and Everton have both been linked with the Ivory Coast international before and there have been rumours that Newcastle United could attempt to land him if they have an ownership change.
Zaha has previously asked to be allowed to leave the Eagles but is their highest earner – meaning that the financial package needed to prise him away from SE25 is a huge one.
Asked about the player staying at Palace, Hodgson said: “That’s the $64,000 question isn’t it, that one, always but it’s not just Wilf Zaha – there’s players in every club that come into that category.
“Wilf has made it clear, ever since I came to the club really, that he would relish a move and would like to move on and find some pastures new.
“But he’s a very valuable player and the club realises his value and appreciates his value and so really everything will depend I guess – as it always does – [on] what sort of offers the club is going to receive for him and how they will equate that with the need to keep him or the need, maybe, to satisfy his wishes, and allow him to go after giving good service to the club for a period of time.
“Quite frankly, I’ve got no answer to that question, it will be all a matter, I guess, of seeing what transpires.”
One thing that could keep the Ivory Coast international in SE25 are the financial implications for clubs caused by the Covid-19 shutdown and offers coming below what the club feel are appropriate.
“I think he should, because he’s a very top quality player,” answered Hodgson about if the player would still command offers of the reported £80 million being asked for last year when the 27-year-old was close to joining London rivals Arsenal or Chelsea.
“But, as I say, that will be a decision and matter anyway for [chairman) Steve Parish and the other owners of the club.
“They will have to take any offers into consideration and I’m pretty certain that I will be consulted and at the end of the day the final decision will have to be a club one.”
Zaha clocked up his 350th appearance for the Eagles this season.
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