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Wilfried Zaha at this moment in time is technically without a club after the expiration of his contract with Premier League side Crystal Palace. The destination of where he’ll be playing his football in the upcoming 2023-24 campaign remains something of an unknown, so we wanted to look at the betting odds to see if they provided any potential clues.
Zaha has spent the vast majority of his playing career pulling on the famous Eagles jersey, and whilst he is out of contract, it is not certain that he won’t pen an extension at Selhurst Park and remain a Palace player. Of course, when a player of his quality becomes available on a free, a queue of clubs form. Where will Wilfried Zaha be playing his football next season?
Well, the Ivory Coast international is not necessarily against the clock to complete a move considering he is a free agent and can sign for a club outside of the transfer window. However, the major European leagues are now seeing their teams emerge for pre-season, so he will have to be quick making a decision if that is where he wants to go.
Let us take a look at the top five in the betting with regards to where Zaha will be playing his football next season, using odds formulated by Sky Bet.
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Wilfried Zaha Next Club: Remain at Crystal Palace (4/6)
According to The Guardian, Zaha has a four-year contract offer on the table from Crystal Palace, which would see him receive £10million a season in wages. This would make him the highest-paid player in their history, and is a significant improvement upon his already high salary of £130,000 a week.
Zaha has been linked with a move away from the club for quite a few seasons now, but with him turning 31 later on in the year, could that count against him getting a contract like the one Palace has offered him elsewhere. Time will tell on that front.
Wilfried Zaha Next Club: Any Saudi Arabian side (9/4)
Football in Saudi Arabia has suddenly become a major option for top European players in recent times and Zaha would fit the bill in terms of the type of player that has already switched to that part of the world. It is likely clubs in Saudi would be able to offer an amount which dwarfs what Crystal Palace have offered, so it may give the winger a decision to make.
The Daily Mail recently reported that Steven Gerrard held discussions with Zaha over joining him at Al-Ettifaq. However, and rather ironically, it would appear this possible deal could break down over finances, with Zaha’s representatives seeking more money from the Saudi Pro League team. Still, other clubs in the country may enquire over his services.
Wilfried Zaha Next Club: Fenerbahce (4/1)
The Guardian claims that Zaha has many transfer suitors this summer, one of which is Fenerbahce. The Turkish giants last won their league all the way back in 2013-14, and have identified Zaha as someone who can boost their chances of adding a 29th Turkish Super League crown.
The club has already been busy this summer adding the likes of Edin Džeko, Ryan Kent and Sebastian Szymański to their roster, but still believe there is room for another pacey wide man. One tick in Fenerbahce’s column is being able to offer European football to Zaha, but only Europa Conference League and not Champions League.
Wilfried Zaha Next Club: PSG (7/1)
The French club have been involved in other major transfer talks this summer, mainly over the situation regarding key forward Kylian Mbappe. Whilst the Ligue 1 side have made their intentions known in wanting to sign Zaha, the player himself seemingly wants to wait on Crystal Palace’s next move, so says The Sun, with the winger maybe seeking more money from the Premier League club.
PSG losing Mbappe, in addition to Lionel Messi already moving on, maybe makes them a less attractive proposition. Still, they can offer Champions League football to Zaha, and the chance to test himself at the highest level is something which would surely attract him. Then again, it would appear staying at Palace is most likely at this stage.
Wilfried Zaha Next Club: Lazio (12/1)
The odds do suggest this is unlikely but we do know that the Serie A side have made their move for Zaha. It would appear they are fairly low down the preferred order in terms of where Zaha is likely to be next season. Still, they play an attractive style of football under Maurizio Sarri, and Zaha playing with a smile on his face is surely all he is wanting at this point in his career.
Let’s not forget, Lazio did finish second in the Italian top flight last season, and whilst it was still a distance behind runaway champions Napoli, it does show that they aren’t a million miles away from contested for the title once again. They too will be in Europe next season, but financially Zaha will have better offers elsewhere.
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