Crystal Palace look to ‘run it back’ with Wilfried Zaha on new record deal
3 min read
Crystal Palace are keen to agree a new long-term deal with talismanic attacker Wilfried Zaha. The Ivory Coast international is out of contract this summer, and has been long-linked with moves to clubs like Marseille, Juventus, and Arsenal. However, it looks like Palace are keen to keep the player around for the rest of his career. Indeed, reports suggest that the club will offer a club record contract to keep him.
The academy product has been the face of the club before and after his spell at Manchester United. He has played a massive role in building the club into a consistent Premier League force. Only this year has relegation felt like a genuine possibility. The return of Roy Hodgson sorted out many of the on-field issues, though, and Zaha and co. have put together a run that has guaranteed league safety again.
Now, though, comes the hard part: securing the deals that are needed this summer to ensure progress. Despite some pretty hefty spending last year, Palace were unable to fully build on the Patrick Vieira period. The Frenchman was sacked in early 2023, and was replaced with Hodgson once again.
While this might have saved the club from any worries this year, there were concerns that this approach might put off the likes of Zaha from sticking around. However, with talk of a £200,000-per-week deal in the offing, Palace are confident they can keep their academy star around for a little bit longer.
Though he is set to miss the final two games of the season, there is renewed confidence that Zaha is not going to leave after all. Some Eagles fans feared that they had seen the last of Zaha in the blue and red after he limped off against Bournemouth.
Zaha set to see out career as an Eagle?
Naturally, this news would be a positive for all involved at the club. Losing a player of the quality of Zaha would be a near-irreplaceable blow to the clubs starting XI for next year. Having scored 90 goals for the club, he is one of the most successful Palace players to ever wear the shirt.
Though reports of a move to AS Roma and even a move to the Middle East remained constant throughout the year so far, Palace are believed to see a new contract as a likely end result. This would give fans renewed optimism that next year can be better than the inconsistency of the present season.
Speaking of returning heroes, it sounds like Hodgson will be kept on for next season. Reports suggest a one-year deal is in the offing, and he will act as manager whilst mentoring former Palace hero Paddy McCarthy. McCarthy is currently one of his assistants, and it is believed that the 39-year-old will be given a chance to take the reigns when Hodgson decides to retire.
For Palace fans, then, the future looks very bright indeed. After a period of significant turmoil, it looks like things are going to work out for this season and next.
