Wilfried Zaha has been offered a mouth-watering contract at Saudi Arabia Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq over a potential move this summer.
According to reports, the Ivory Coast International winger has contacted Steven Gerrard, the club’s new head coach over a probable transfer to the Middle East.
Al-Ettifaq, who just hired Steven Gerrard as their Manager are believed to have submitted a written offer to the Crystal Palace winger which will see him receive 16 million pounds a season.
According to football insiders which states that the player’s representative requested that the offer be improved by 7.5 million pounds. But the Saudi Arabia outfit have turned down the offer.
A source close to the development of the deal said; “There is not a bottomless trench of money and we will not be held to ransom”.
Wilfried Zaha, the 30-year-old former Manchester United player declines to sign a new deal reportedly worth 200,000 pounds per week with Crystal Palace when his contract ended on the 1st of July, 2023, and he’s presently a free agent.
The former Cardiff City FC player has been linked with a move away from Crystal Palace this summer with several European clubs interested in his service.
Fenerbahce, Napoli, and Lazio have enquired about the Ivory Coast International player but none of the clubs will offer the massive amount that the Saudi Arabia side are ready to offer.
Other European clubs reported to be interested in signing Wilfried Zaha are Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint Germain but the player will decide on his future once he returns from his honeymoon in the coming weeks.
Al-Nassr, another Saudi Arabian team, also made a bid, but it was withdrawn after receiving similar feedback from the Saudi government.
Zaha, though, has a brand new contract on the table, and as things stand, the deal with Palace is the most profitable if he wants to remain in European competition.
A move to Saudi Arabia for Zaha may cost Al-Ettifaq a huge amount of money, which could be used to bring in three top-tier players.
If the deal can’t be secured at this point, there is mounting evidence that Zaha’s transfer to Saudi Arabia this summer will not happen.
Wilfried Zaha’s stats with Crystal Palace last season.
The former Manchester United player represented Crystal Palace in 27 matches, scoring seven goals and registering two assists, and was booked 5 times.
What’s next for Wilfried Zaha?
The 30-year-old football player will return to Crystal Palace camp after his honeymoon break and later decide whether to stay at the club or move to the Saudi Arabia Pro League.
