Crystal Palace: Dan Cook admits there’s a growing perception Wilfried Zaha will depart

Podcaster Dan Cook believes there is now a growing perception around Wilfried Zaha’s Crystal Palace future amid the latest transfer links concerning the Ivorian.

Zaha reportedly rejected a new contract with Crystal Palace this year, which means he will be allowed to sign a pre-contract with overseas clubs from next month, although he is still attracting interest domestically.

Tottenham Hotspur are the latest English club to see their name linked with a move for the Ivory Coast international, and given they are on course for a top-four finish as things stand, the move would likely make sense for Zaha.

Cook has all but admitted on the HLTCO podcast it’s inevitable Zaha will be leaving and namedropped Spurs as a potential destination.

He said: “You don’t need me to remind you that there are plenty of clubs throwing their hat into the ring for him, and the growing perception of many is that he will leave the football club when this season comes to an end.

“He has rejected that verbal offer of a new deal. I know that Spurs have been spoken about publicly as a potential suitor for him. The main reason, I feel, for Wilfried Zaha leaving is to guarantee regular European football.”

TIF Thoughts on Zaha’s future…

We think it is likely that Cook’s belief that Zaha looks all but set to depart come the end of the season after rejecting a lucrative new contract will have been echoed by many fans.

Zaha will certainly not be short of suitors when he becomes a free agent, or even in January, given that clubs such as Spurs, Roma and Borussia Dortmund have expressed an interest in the attacker recently.

Palace will likely find it difficult to replace Zaha given he’s been their top scorer in two of the club’s last three Premier League seasons and has been a regular within the team for several years now, starting at least 30 games in three of the last four league campaigns.

However, given how long this transfer saga has dragged on, we would like to think Palace have a succession plan firmly in place.