Zaha’s Champions League ‘priority’ revealed amidst Chelsea and Arsenal interest

Robin Bairner

• 4 May 2023 10:49 BST
• 3 min read

Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha is not short of options ahead of the summer transfer window, when he will become a free agent with his contract at Selhurst Park due to expire.

London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal have emerged as clubs that could sign the 30-year-old on a free transfer, while Palace themselves are reportedly willing to make Zaha their highest-paid player in history with an offer of more than €227,000 (£200,000) per week.

He is also said to have rejected an offer worth €10.5m per year from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, while Qatari side Al-Saad have taken an interest.

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According to FootMercato, though, another compelling alternative for Zaha comes from Ligue 1 side Marseille, who are well on course to qualify for the Champions League this season as they lie second in France’s top flight only five points behind PSG.

Indeed, it is reported by the French source that Zaha has become OM’s leading priority ahead of the summer transfer market.

Contact was made between Marseille and the player in April and has been ongoing since then, with talks stepping up.

Champions League football is the leading consideration in the former Manchester United attacker’s thinking before agreeing to a new club and it is said Zaha “is very interested in the idea of playing at the Velodrome”.

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Who will Zaha sign for?

Marseille would also be attractive for him because he would be guaranteed more game time than at Chelsea or Arsenal, where he would likely be a backup option.

There is doubt, however, over who will be on the bench of the French club next season, with head coach Igor Tudor courted by Juventus in case of Max Allegri’s departure.

Zaha has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €19m and any club that captures him will feel that they have got themselves a coup.