Wilfried Zaha celebrates after scoring. (Getty Images)
According to Daily Mail, Newcastle United have made Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha one of their top transfer targets in the summer.
Zaha, 27, is a product of Crystal Palace’s youth academy. After impressing in the 2012/13 season, he was signed by Manchester United. However, the winger couldn’t make an impact at Old Trafford. He was sent on loan back to Selhurst Park before joining them permanently in the summer of 2015.
Since then, he has gone on to establish himself as one of the best wingers in the league. He was also instrumental in guiding his side to the FA Cup final against Man United in 2016/17. With immense experience in the league, the Ivorian is being courted by several clubs including Everton, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, as per the report.
Newcastle’s strikers have struggled a lot this season. Joelinton, Andy Carroll, Dwight Gayle and Yoshinori Muto have failed miserably as they have misfired together. And it is clear that the manager needs to bring in a centre-forward in the summer.
Apart from a striker, Bruce should also reinforce the wide areas. Allan Saint-Maximin and Christian Atsu are the only wingers available at the manager’s disposal. The former has been brilliant whenever he has played, scoring 3 goals and providing 5 assists. But he has struggled with injuries so far.
On the other hand, Atsu has failed to make an impact in the Magpies’ attack. Thus, the manager turned towards Miguel Almiron to carry on the duties at right-wing. With limited quality in the wide areas, Newcastle need to sign a winger to do better next season.
In that regard, Palace’s Zaha would be a good option for the club. The Ivorian has featured in 35 games this season, scoring 4 goals and providing 5 assists. Last season, he finished with 10 goals and 10 assists, and it is clear that he could contribute to Bruce’s attacking unit.
The Ivorian international has made 379 career appearances, all of them in English football. He would definitely bring in a wealth of experience and obvious quality to Bruce’s squad if he joins them.
Since returning to Palace from Manchester United, Zaha has gone from strength to strength with each passing campaign. Given Newcastle’s attacking woes this term, the 27-year-old would add some much-needed quality to the side and could make the Magpies a goal-threat from the wide areas.
