Real Madrid are checking out Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, according to reports in the British Press.
The 20-year-old has raised eyebrows in the Championship this season with some scintillating performances and four goals, so much so that England boss Roy Hodgson has called him into his squad for Wednesday’s friendly in Sweden.
Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is believed to have sent scouts to watch Zaha in several games this term, where he has helped Palace to the top of the table.
However, the Daily Mirror reports that the Spanish champions are not the only ones interested in acquiring his services, with Arsenal planning a January bid to take him to the Emirates Stadium, although their opening bid of around €8m would fall well short of Palace’s valuation.
There could also be competition for one of the country’s best young talents from Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Chelsea, despite the Selhurst Park club insisting they do not want to sell as they harbour aspirations of promotion to the Premier League.
“We absolutely do not want to sell Wilfried in January,” said Stephen Browett, who owns the club with fellow consortium members Steve Parish, Martin Long and Jeremy Hosking.
“If you finish last in the Premier League you get €65m in prize money and with parachute payments over four years you are guaranteed €110m.
“It is such a massive amount that selling your best player when you have a good chance of promotion makes no sense at all.
“A figure of €22m has been talked about and that lets interested clubs know we are serious. But he is not for sale.”
