Former Charlton striker: Newcastle United should try and sign Crystal Palace star Wilf Zaha

Former Charlton Athletic striker Darren Bent reckons Newcastle United should make a January move for Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha.

The Toon are under new owners after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) took an 80 per cent stake in the club.

Newcastle are now backed by billionaire owners and are expected to invest heavily in the next transfer window.

Zaha has previously submitted transfer requests to try and force through moves to both Arsenal and Everton. But no club has met Palace’s valuation of the Ivory Coast international.

The attacker has made it clear he would like to join a club that has a more serious chance of competing for honours.

“He’d be one I’d definitely try and get,” said Bent, on his radio slot on talkSPORT. “He would be unbelievable – for £60-£70million now.

“I spoke to Wilf before, he loves Crystal Palace. He’s on a lot of money now. It would be a difficult decision [whether to leave].

“He’s a better player now [than when he joined Manchester United]. It might be five years before they [Newcastle] win anything, so he’s in the same position.

“I would go for someone like Zaha. I would leave.”