Barcelona and Juventus target Wilfried Zaha on free transfer

European giants Barcelona and Juventus are targeting a move for Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, according to the Evening Standard.

The Ivory Coast international will become a free agent when his contract expires in June. He can start talking to foreign clubs about a move in January.

Zaha is yet to commit his future to Selhurst Park, and there is no inclination that he will do so. The 29-year-old has Champions League ambitions he wants to pursue.

The forward has become Crystal Palace’s talisman across his eight years in south London. He has 88 goals and 74 assists for the Eagles in 441 appearances.

It will not be surprising if top clubs offer lucrative contracts to secure his signature.

Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany showed an appreciation for the free agent market last summer, signing Dani Alves, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen. 

The Catalan club are reportedly impressed by Zaha’s direct running and finishing. They would love to bring the former Manchester United star to Spotify Camp Nou on a free transfer.

As for Juventus, their squad is missing an X-factor player that every team needs. Massimiliano Allegri’s squad needs Zaha’s unpredictability.

The return of Federico Chiesa is a boost, but they’ll need more good players to avoid slipping further away from Napoli, Inter Milan and AC Milan.

In the Premier League, Chelsea and Arsenal have a long-running interest in the player. The London duo could also make moves to sign him.

They will allow him to move without relocating and boost his annual salary.

Palace will be desperate to hold on to their man no matter how futile the effort seems. They have already made a verbal offer that would increase his wages.

However, it looks more likely that Zaha will be on the move to a top European club this summer. And with his free-agent status, he will have plenty to choose from.