Chelsea target could leave on free transfer despite promise of most lucrative contract in club history

Chelsea target Wilfried Zaha looks likely to leave Crystal Palace for free despite lucrative contract offer

According to the Daily Mail (h/t Metro), there are growing concerns that Chelsea target Wilfried Zaha won’t accept the most lucrative offer in the club’s history by Crystal Palace and leave the club for free next summer.

Zaha, who is already the highest earner at Palace, has his contract ending at Selhurst Park in June. Negotiations of a new deal with weekly wages of £130,000 are on the table, but the south London club are not confident about agreeing to it.

Chelsea, along with London rivals Arsenal are among the many clubs in England and abroad who would be interested in signing the winger for free next summer.

The Ivory Coast international is having a season to remember so far, with five goals and an assist in 11 appearances. He has always been a talisman at Palace in a team that depends on him to produce the magic to keep them going in the final third.

With the future of Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic uncertain, Chelsea could do with adding more depth and quality to their wide attacking areas.

Zaha has the quality to be a star in this team, along with the fact that he is an experienced Premier League player who has a proven record of terrorising opposition defenders season after season.

The 29-year-old is most effective as a left winger but can operate as a number nine or on the right wing. He possesses abundant pace, trickery and good decision-making in the final third.

All that with the added advantage that he could come as a free agent is an attractive prospect for any club targeting his signature. Chelsea would benefit from having him in the squad. The fans would love to see the Blues doing their best to get the Ivorian at Stamford Bridge next summer.

More Chelsea News:

• Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe handpicks Chelsea target Leandro Trossard for January transfer move
• Tony Cascarino tells Chelsea to get a striker better than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang next summer
• Real Madrid wanted to sign Raheem Sterling but could not due to certain rules

He is a tried and tested Premier League who, for sure, would be wondering how it feels to play in the European competitions. Chelsea can offer him that – hopefully Champions League football if we finish top four this season.