Wilfried Zaha would be interested in a potential move to Liverpool next summer, according to reports, and could cost the Reds absolutely nothing.
The Crystal Palace winger is now in the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park, after what will be 13 seasons and well over 450 appearances - he is currently on 439 - across all competitions for the club over two separate spells. The 29-year-old is at the peak of his powers currently, with 14 goals this calendar year and five in nine Premier League games this campaign.
Such form has understandably fuelled speculation over a move come the end of his deal next summer, particularly for a player who has previously made no attempt to hide his desire to leave Palace and play Champions League football. Zaha endured an ill-fated move to Manchester United back in 2013 - making just four appearances in all competitions over two seasons - and the Ivorian undoubtably has a point to prove by excelling with an elite club.
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And as would be expected, the longer Zaha and Palace go without agreeing a new deal, the more intense talk over a move next summer will become. The player has been quizzed about his future this season, specifically after a 1-1 draw against Brentford in August, but he remained predictably tight-lipped.
"It’s not been difficult at all [to remain focused]," Zaha said after the game in which he scored. "I’ve just been focused on Palace and every game. So it’s not been difficult at all. I go into training, I get on with it and I enjoy it. So I’ve been focused.
"It’s massive, we’ve got a massive understanding, everyone literally understands me. It’s different, it’s hard to explain but it feels like a family here. That’s the understanding we have."
But in the very same interview, the winger made his frustrations regarding Palace's - and by extension manager Patrick Vieira's - tactics very clear.
"I'm lost for words man. Just one lapse of concentration. It ruins all the hard work. We literally just had to keep it tight," he told BT Sport. "As soon as we went in the lead, we just started to defend. I don't see why we do that?
"If we just continue pressing on we could have got a second and that ends the game. We killed ourselves in the end."
Zaha's future has also been a key point of questioning for Vieira himself as recently as Tuesday, with the Eagles boss forced to defend his star after the winning goal in the 2-1 win against Wolves.
"Wilfried knows what the club think about him, and we know what he thinks about the club," Vieira said after Tuesday's result. "There will be discussions taking place [over a new contract] but for myself and for the club what is important is for him to play at this level and to be consistent and to help those young players around him to grow and we will see what will happen.
"If Wilfried Zaha has a good day, the team will have a good day. He’s an important player on and off the field, he’s got the experience and today he was really good in possession and out of possession he worked really hard."
The former Arsenal midfielder was also tasked with quashing any rumours earlier this month, stating firmly that he and the club want to keep their star man but, ultimately, the decision lies with the player.
“It’s important for him to understand where the football club stands and what we think about him,” said Vieira. “We love Wilfried – he is an important character and player for the football club.
“He knows what we think about him, and he will have to think as well about what he wants to do. He is somebody that we will do everything to keep.
"He is important, not just for my plans, but for the football club. He is a strong figure here, and he has been performing as well – that side of the game is really important.
“He has been performing really well for the football club in the last couple of years. The decision has to be his.”
Both will no doubt continue to have to answer questions until a new deal is signed - or his summer departure confirmed.
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