Wilfried Zaha Turns Down ‘Generational Wealth’ for Champions League Dream

Wilfried Zaha
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Wilfried Zaha, winger of Crystal Palace, is set to reject a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, opting instead to pursue his dream of playing in the Champions League.

The 30-year-old Ivorian international, whose contract with Crystal Palace is due to expire in two weeks, has been offered what has been described as ‘generational wealth’ to join the Middle Eastern club.

Zaha’s contractual situation means he is available to join another club for nothing ahead of next season. A number of teams, including clubs from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have expressed a concrete interest in the player, willing to pay Zaha a huge salary to join. However, Zaha is putting the opportunity of a move to the Middle East on the backburner for the time being as he focuses on a move to a club that would provide him the chance of playing Champions League football.

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Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are among the clubs playing in next season’s competition to have expressed an interest in Zaha in recent days. It is understood that PSG’s priority is to sign Marcus Thuram from Borussia Monchengladbach, with Zaha viewed as the alternative to the France international. Thuram, 25, is also a target for AC Milan who are pushing hard to sign the winger.

If PSG are unsuccessful in their move to sign Thuram, then their interest in Zaha will accelerate. Palace have offered Zaha a four-year deal worth in the region of £200,000-per-week – with the attacker having until the end of the month to formally respond to the Eagles’ offer.

Zaha is not ruling out staying at Selhurst Park and is open to signing a contract. But his preference is to sign for an elite European club this summer – and is willing to accept less money than he is being offered by Palace to fulfil his ambition.

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