Zaha offered mega-money transfer that would see him rival Cristiano Ronaldo

13 March 2023 , 18:58

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Wilfried Zaha (Image: Sebastian Frej/MB Media)

Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has been offered a lucrative contract worth an estimated £9million-a-year to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League.

Zaha, 30, has less than six months remaining on his current deal at Selhurst Park and looks set to quit the Londoners for a second time at the end of the current campaign.

The Ivory Coast international has been linked with a raft of high-profile clubs over the past few months but stayed put in the January transfer window. He is, however, now free to speak to interested clubs from overseas - and a fresh report has outlined details of a whopping new proposal from the Middle East.

According to The Mail, Zaha has been approached by Saudi outfit Al-Ittihad, who are willing to pull out all the stops to lure him abroad. Al-Ittihad's title rivals, Al-Nassr, are also keeping a keen eye on developments involving Zaha and would like to play him alongside Ronaldo next season.

Zaha is believed to mulling over his long-term future and has already expressed his desire to play Champions League football. That hasn't deterred Crystal Palace, though, who still believe they could convince their coveted homegrown star to pen a new deal.

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The same report claims that Palace have tabled a deal worth almost £200,000-a-week including bonuses - a contract that would make Zaha the club's highest-ever earner.

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Zaha would join up with Cristiano Ronaldo if he did decide to move to the Middle East

But with rumoured interest from European heavyweights like AC Milan also on the table, it remains to be seen if Zaha can be convinced that his future lies at Selhurst Park beyond the current campaign.

Since returning to the club following an ill-fated stint at Manchester United in 2015, Zaha has established himself as one of the Premier League's most exciting attacking players and has regularly been sought-after by some of the league's bigger clubs.

He came tantalisingly close to a lucrative switch to Arsenal back in 2019 and it's believed he was also courted by Chelsea last summer. Tottenham are also known to be avid admirers of the fleet-footed winger.

Eagles boss Patrick Vieira has made no secret of his desire to keep Zaha around. Speaking recently, 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."

Crystal Palace's hopes of retaining Zaha's services beyond the end of the season could be threatened by their recent poor form. The Eagles' winless run stands at 10 games after Saturday night's defeat against Manchester City, and although they sit 12th in the Premier League standings, they are now just three points above the dreaded drop zone.

Dan Marsh