Zaha wants to stay at Crystal Palace amid links to Mourinho's Roma, claims Vieira

By Sports Desk July 14, 2022

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira insists Wilfried Zaha is content at Selhurst Park as he labelled the winger's transfer links to Roma as "just a report".

Zaha was a standout performer for Palace once again in the 2021-22 campaign, managing 15 goal involvements – four more than any team-mate.

The Ivory Coast international scored 14 times in the English top flight last term, his best return in his Premier League career.

But Zaha is heading into the final year of his contract at Palace, with reports suggesting Jose Mourinho's Roma are interested in signing the 29-year-old.

Zaha did not travel on Palace's pre-season tour of Australia and Singapore, but Vieira is certain the forward does not want to move away.

"It's just a report I think," Vieira said ahead of Friday's friendly against Liverpool in Singapore. "We are in a period where there is a lot of speculation regarding players.

"What is really important for me and the football club is that Wilfried Zaha came back on time and he is working well to have a good season.

"What goes on in the papers, it is difficult for us to control. What I know is that he is happy in our football club and he is looking forward to the new season at our football club."

Zaha has been mooted as a transfer target for clubs such as Tottenham, Arsenal, Everton and Borussia Dortmund in recent seasons, but Palace have managed to keep hold of their talisman.

Vieira will hope to have Zaha available when Palace open their Premier League campaign at home to Arsenal on August 5.

Related items

  • Tammy Abraham has surgery to repair anterior cruciate ligament damage Tammy Abraham has surgery to repair anterior cruciate ligament damage

    England and Roma striker Tammy Abraham is recovering in a London hospital after surgery to repair anterior cruciate ligament damage.

    Former Chelsea forward Abraham, 25, sustained the injury in Roma’s final game of the season last Sunday when a 2-1 home win against Spezia secured them a sixth-placed Serie A finish.

    A Roma statement read: “Tammy Abraham underwent reconstructive surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Wednesday.

    “The operation was performed by Dr Andy Williams at London’s Cromwell Hospital, with AS Roma head of medical Massimo Manara in attendance, and was a complete success.

    “The player will remain at the London clinic for a few days before beginning the rehabilitation programme drawn up by the club’s medical staff. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Tammy!”

    The Italian club, managed by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, signed Abraham from the Blues in August 2021 for £34million.

  • Real Madrid agree deal to sign England’s Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund Real Madrid agree deal to sign England’s Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund

    Jude Bellingham is closing in on a move to Real Madrid after the Spanish side struck a deal with Borussia Dortmund worth an initial £88.5million.

    The 19-year-old moved to Germany from boyhood club Birmingham in 2020 and has long dreamt of moving to the LaLiga giants.

    England star Bellingham is now on the cusp of completing his move to Madrid.

    Dortmund confirmed in a statement that the Spanish side have agreed to pay 103m euros (£88.5m), with an additional amount of around 30 per cent of that fixed fee agreed.

    If those add-ons are achieved, the deal could reach 133.9m euros (£115m).

  • Inter Miami reportedly leading the race to sign Lionel Messi Inter Miami reportedly leading the race to sign Lionel Messi

    Lionel Messi is reportedly set to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal understood to be out of the race.

    The 35-year-old Argentina star had been strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, a league which already features Cristiano Ronaldo and now Karim Benzema, with Messi’s two-year contract at Paris St Germain coming to an end this month.

    However, the PA news agency understands a move to the Middle East is now no longer on the cards, placing Inter Miami in pole position for Messi.

    The Major League Soccer side are co-owned by former England captain David Beckham and were founded in 2018, playing their first season two years later.

    Miami recently sacked Beckham’s former Manchester United and England team-mate Phil Neville as coach and are currently bottom of the 15-team Eastern Conference, but they remain a fiercely ambitious club.

    The PA news agency understands the Florida side have pulled out all the stops to sign Messi, tying up with various MLS partners like Apple.

    A deal in principle has now reportedly been agreed that will see Messi head to the United States after PSG confirmed last week he would be leaving.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.