This guy is quality from what I've seen of him..... Sunderland lining up move for Zaha (From The Northern Echo) Sunderland lining up move for Zaha 8:00am Thursday 17th May 2012 in Sport By Scott Wilson SUNDERLAND are preparing an approach for in-demand Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, but Black Cats officials are not anticipating a hectic start to their summer transfer dealing. Martin O'Neill is keen to make changes to his squad this summer, and while owner Ellis Short remains determined to keep the club's wage bill under control, funds will be made available for strengthening. However, with the build up to the European Championships dominating the footballing agenda already, there is an acceptance that it will be hard to strike deals until later in the summer. That is not preventing O'Neill and his staff from making preliminary inquiries about some of their leading targets though, and Zaha has emerged as a potential acquisition. The 19-year-old was one of the most talked-about players in the Championship last season and is expected to leave Selhurst Park this summer. Palace rejected an offer from Bolton Wanderers in the January transfer window and tied Zaha down to a new long-term deal. However, with Eagles boss Dougie Freedman having to sell in order to buy this summer, it is believed Palace would accept around £4m for the England Under-21 international. Ads by Google EuroCarParts Brake Pads Upto 70% Off Main Dealer Prices Free Delivery - Order Now www.eurocarparts.com/Brake-Pads Lose 4 Stone in 3 Months? Discover the Shocking Truth About Britain's Hottest Diet... TrimRecipe.com/Diet Newly-promoted Reading have also expressed an interest, while German club Hoffenheim are a surprise candidate for Zaha's capture. Sunderland are confident they can match the offers currently being mooted, and Zaha would appear to be an alternative to Blackburn's Junior Hoilett, who is also a target. Black Cats scouts have watched Hoilett on a number of occasions this season, but the winger, who is about to become a free agent, has also been linked with Arsenal and Tottenham and it increasingly looks as though he will be able to select his choice of future employer from a lengthy list. O'Neill is hoping to sign at least two new strikers this summer, with Wolves' Steven Fletcher and Bolton's Kevin Davies prominent in his thoughts. Fletcher is set to leave Wolves following their relegation to the Championship, although the Black Country club are adamant they will only sell if the price is right. Initial quotes of £10m are fanciful, but it will not be easy to prise Fletcher from Molineux for anything less than £7m. O'Neill tried to sign Davies on loan in January, only for the veteran to remain at the Reebok Stadium. Another approach is anticipated, but sources in Lancashire claim the 35-year-old has been offered a one-year contract that will enable him to develop his coaching with the Trotters, and is close to agreeing to the deal.
Not entirely sure on Zaha, personally I have never seen him play a full game but I would prefer Hoilett over him purely because of Premier League Experience but like the article says theres a lot of competition for Jnr so Zaha could be an alternative. Still a risk though but at £4 million its not as painful as Wickham's fee.
When I saw him play against UTD in the Carling Cup he was awesome. Zaha seems to be a good, pacey direct winger - so right up MON street. Him and McClean on the wings would scare defenders. I would however still like a proven PL winger - so Jnr or Johnson would be my first option. Johnson IMO is a realistic target - clearly out of favour with City. Especially now the have won the league & in the CL. They will be after better players.
I always get a little suspicious about young outstanding players supposedly for signature. If he is that good then one of the big London clubs would have sorted something by now. Unless of course there is a time when he will be a free agent.
Very decent player but nowhere near ready for the PL yet. If I could liken his playing style to anybody I'd say Adel Taraabt but in his Spurs days. He is greedy and needs to learn a few things before I'd trust him to be in a PL starting 11, like some of you have commented on, he played very well against United in the cup this year so he has a lot of talent. I'd assume he'd be loaned straight back out by most PL teams if they acquired him.
Seems in the mould ashley young, stewart downing, james milner. Sort of player O'Neill usually go for, so I can see there being something in this.
Zaha will be a top 4 player in the next three years... he is a really really good footballer but the top teams arnt sure of him for several reasons -no PL experience (same reason why they didnt want moses but they all want him now) -Immaturity -Hot head IMO we are not at a level we can turn down someone who is as good as him because he hasnt played in the PL... Because if anouther team gets him and he plays well he will be playing at man u or chelsea 4m is nothing in the modern day.... he is good enough that even if he fails in the PL hecan be sold back to the championship for the same price IMO if it does work we will get 12m easy in the next year or two
Another good young player. We were linked in January but that was around the time of his Man U performance and silly 10m fees were mentioned. I was not surprised when he didn't arrive! Certainly value at 4m.
Does this guy not sound a lot like Connor Wickam, young, talented, scores goals outshines in the championship, has a lot of promise, but the step up to the Premiership dosen't suit them all as were still waiting for young Wickham to show his full promise, I think another punt at a promising championship player is one punt too many at the moment, would prefer Holliet.
I think people are making far to much of this Wickham thing to be honest, he is 19 in his first year and has had a troubled season due to injuries. We should hardly be calling him a flop yet. Even if he is a flop, does that mean every player from lower leagues will be the same so we shouldn't go for them? What about Riveros, does that rule out us buying players from south america in future? What about Gyan, should we steer clear of buying a player from african nations in the future?
As I've said before I'd happily take young Wickham to our place. You lads just need to give him time. He has plenty to learn but you haven't had the chance to judge him properly yet, and he hasn't had the chance to show what he's capable of.
SAFC83, Where in my post did I say Wickham was a flop, I don't consider him in that category I just feel these young players rarely hit the ground running, I'm fully aware of his injury problems and fully expect him to come good in the future, my point was are we in a position to carry two such young talents when at present our desperate need is to spend what money we have on PROVEN goalscoreres and a decent left back.
-no PL experience (same reason why they didnt want moses but they all want him now) -Immaturity -Hot head Please explain,,,, Who all wants Moses?
