According to El Nacional, Al-Nassr, the club of Cristiano Ronaldo, is prepared to give Wilfried Zaha, a target for Barcelona, a free transfer this summer.
After signing with Manchester United as a 20-year-old in 2013, the graduate of the Crystal Palace youth academy made just four appearances for them in the 2013-14 season. In the summer of 2015, he made a permanent return to Selhurst Park after an unsuccessful stint at Old Trafford.
He has scored 89 goals and 76 assists in 450 games for the Eagles, making him one of the team’s most recognizable players today. However, it’s possible that his time at Crystal Palace will end this summer. At the end of the season, his contract is up, and he could leave as a free agent. Following their acquisition of Cristiano Ronaldo during the January transfer window, Al-Nassr is eager to make him their next big-name addition.
The 30-year-old has also been selected by Barcelona to enhance their attack’s depth. Zaha’s versatility across the frontline allows him to simultaneously strengthen multiple positions.
Al-Nassr intends to offer Zaha a blank check in order to surpass Barca in the pursuit of the player. At least for the time being, the Saudi Pro League does not provide the same level of competition, fame, and exposure as some of Europe’s top leagues.
As a result, offering the former Manchester United winger more money would be Al-Nassr’s best chance of securing his signature. The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr may also make the Riyadh-based giants more appealing to other world-class players.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once predicted Wilfried Zaha would succeed Cristiano Ronaldo as a Barcelona target.
It is sufficient evidence that Wilfried Zaha is doing something right to be on Barcelona’s transfer radar. However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer encouraged him to be so much more than he is today.
Manchester United paid £15, including add-ons, for Zaha in the summer of 2013. He was allowed to join Cardiff City on loan six months later, where Solskjaer was managing at the time, until the end of the campaign.
The Norwegian coach backed Zaha as the next Cristiano Ronaldo after he signed him. He stated (via Mirror) in a February 2014 interview:
“ He is one of the best ball handlers I’ve ever seen. Like Cristiano, he is brave, has quick feet, and wants to move forward. However, he must decide how much he enjoys this game as well as how good he wants to be. If he wants, he can mature into a respectable player like Ronaldo.”
If he decides to join Barcelona, Zaha still has a lot to offer and could show off his skills on the biggest stage.