Barcelona suffer blow in Zaha pursuit

Karan Tejwani

• 9 Jan 2023 14:55 GMT
• 3 min read

Barcelona have been dealt a blow in their hopes of signing Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace this month as the winger is keen to stay at Selhurst Park.

Zaha is out of contract at the end of the season and is yet to agree on new terms leaving him free to talk to foreign clubs about a potential transfer.

The Blaugrana have been interested in Zaha over a possible free transfer, which would be fitting given their financial situation.

READ: Could Zaha make sensational move to Dortmund?

However, according to The Athletic, he is keen to finish the season with Palace and achieve his objectives rather than make a January move.

Barcelona suffer Zaha blow

Earlier in the season, Patrick Vieira also spoke of his desire to keep Zaha at Palace and was happy with his performances this season.

He said: "We know the situation and we want to keep him. He's an important player for the club and he's loved here. We have to wait and see what he will decide to do. What matters is the commitment he is showing in the games."

READ: Will Wilfried Zaha join Arsenal or Chelsea on a free transfer?

The Athletic’s David Ornstein also revealed that Palace would love to keep Zaha and that the player would be open to staying as he has often done in the past.

"Palace would dearly love to sign Zaha to sign him to a new contract I'm sure. But with free agency looming and he's never had that big move that many anticipated.

"Of course he went to Manchester United and it didn't work out but since then we've seen Arsenal linked with him, we've seen Tottenham at various points, and we've seen Chelsea last summer.

"That move hasn't happened. Palace value him so highly as they know without him there's a good chance they'd be in a relegation scrap. So they've always set a very high asking price.

"There'll be a number of clubs who will look at him and wonder if they can get him for nothing in the summer of 2023. There'll be conversations I'm sure. Many in the game feel he'll hold out and go as a free-agent and play in the Champions League."

Other than Barcelona, clubs such as Tottenham are also interested in signing Zaha and where he goes remains to be seen.