Roy Hodgson has confirmed Wilfried Zaha could, in fact, still leave Crystal Palace before the European transfer deadline on September 2.
Palace managed to fend off interest from Premier League duo Arsenal and Everton before the English transfer window shut on August 8, but the wantaway forward has also been linked with clubs in Europe’s other top four leagues.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Eagles’ visit to Sheffield United on Sunday, cited by Sky Sports, Hodgson revealed Zaha was ready to start the game but also confirmed he isn’t certain to stay beyond this month:
You can never rule out the possibility that it might happen because the transfer window in Europe is still open until the end of the month. It’s not something I’m going to worry about because it’s something that I cannot affect.
Read Crystal Palace’s verdict
We all know Zaha takes this Palace team to the next level, so for the club to sell him now after keeping him over the summer and, therefore, not signing a replacement of similar quality would be an awful bit of business.
You arguably can’t find a like-for-like replacement for Zaha, he’s that special to this club, but I don’t think it’s likely a bid in the same region as Everton’s would even be considered at this stage.
I’d personally say Palace fans don’t need to worry for now; he seems committed to helping the club start the season off strongly.
He deserves his big move soon though, especially if he sticks at Selhurst Park past January too.
