Roma boss Jose Mourinho wants to sign Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha
Posted by  badge Boss on Jul 10, 2022 - 12:07PM
Wilfried Zaha has been Crystal Palace talisman for years (Photo: Reuters)

AS Roma are reportedly interested in signing star Wilfried Zaha as the forward enters the final year of his contract.

According to via Italy, and Roma’s board are huge admirers of Zaha although any deal is still in the very early stages, and they are yet to open talks with Palace.

Zaha has been for many seasons one of the Premier League’s best players outside of the ‘big six’ clubs, having scored 61 goals and made 27 assists in his top-flight career, almost all for a Palace side not renowned for attacking football.

Jose Mourinho became Roma boss last year (Photo: PA)

The Ivory Coast international became Sir Alex Ferguson’s last ever signing for in 2013, following his scintillating form for Palace in the Championship, but by the time he arrived at Old Trafford David Moyes had taken over.

The Scotsman handed him just two league appearances before loaning him to Cardiff, before he returned to his boyhood club the following season where he has established himself as the Eagles’ talisman and one of their greatest ever players.

As a result, he has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park numerous times, most notably in 2019 when Arsenal and Everton had big money bids rejected.

Zaha turns 30 next season and with just one-year left on his current deal, Patrick Vieira may be inclined to sell his star man while he can, yet last season was the player’s most prolific, with 15 goals in all competitions, showing that he still has a lot to offer the South London side.

While in the past Zaha has wanted to challenge himself at a larger club, he seems more settled than ever at Palace, thanks to the arrival of Vieira and his more attack-minded philosophy, in addition to the fantastic recruitment last season that saw the arrival of the young talents like Marc Guehi and Michael Olise.

Former United boss Mourinho became Roma manager last season, winning the inaugural Europa Conference League, and the Portuguese has made a habit of signing former Premier League players for the Serie A side.

So far, he has acquired Nemanja Matic from United, Tammy Abraham from Chelsea and Rui Patricio from Wolves.

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