Palace ace Wilfried Zaha took to Twitteer to rubbish reports that he would be taking legal action against his former agent, Will Salthouse. This was allegedly due to his agent’s failure to agree a move away from Crystal Palace during the summer.
Twitter: ? do you lot sit and literally wonder what I’m up too then just make up stuff about me ??♂️ https://t.co/nx2juFQubr (@wilfriedzaha
Zaha, in the above tweet, claimed that the Daily Mail had decided to ‘make up’ the story. It is unverifiable as to whether this is the case, though Zaha himself evidently disputes the news giants’ claim.
Having failed to force a move away from SE25, Zaha was left vexed by the prospect of failing to reach his goal of European football. Salthouse, who owns Unique Sports Management, was informed soon after the summer transfer window by Zaha that his representative services were no longer required.
According to legal information obtained by the Daily Mail, Zaha had supposedly procured the services of Chris Farnell – a Manchester-based lawyer for the firm IPS Law – to represent him in a private court of arbitration. A hearing was supposed be held under the FA regulation ‘Rule K’.
A highly public legal saga could have been entailed with the case. Zaha is still legally tied to his Unique Sports Management contract until next summer, rendering him with outstanding obligations to fulfil. As such, the case would have likely disputed Zaha’s release options and other relevant clauses that bind him to Salthouse’s agency.
As a contracted client, Salthouse’s agency will also be entitled to compensatory fees if Zaha leaves Palace over the next two windows.
Crucial to Zaha’s decision to fire his agent was Salthouse’s failure to foster a meaningful relationship with Palace chairman Steve Parish. As such, both parties failed to negotiate a meaningful agreement, leaving Zaha’s future in doubt.
Read Crystal Palace’s verdict
Zaha has been the crux of a major transfer saga over this summer’s transfer window.
The Ivorian international garnered meaningful bids from Arsenal and Everton, although both clubs fell short of a valuation that was deemed to be acceptable by the Palace board.
Consequentially, Zaha remains on the Palace books, despite all of the summer speculation.
He could still leave in January, but it would take a big bid for the Eagles to let him go.
