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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jacob Leeks

Wilfried Zaha delivers clear verdict on future amid Arsenal and Chelsea transfer rumours

Wilfried Zaha has insisted that his focus remains on Crystal Palace amid increasing doubts about his future at Selhurst Park.

Zaha has spent all but two years of his professional career at Palace and is one of the key members of Patrick Vieira 's team. He has thrived under the Frenchman and has already contributed to six goals in the Premier League this season.

But the winger's contract with the Eagles expires in the summer, with no sign yet that he will put pen to paper on a new deal. That is reportedly leading to growing fears among club chiefs that he could depart in search of a move to a club challenging for Europe.

According to the Daily Mail, Palace have verbally offered Zaha a bumper new contract. But they are not close to an agreement with the Ivory Coast international, though talks are said to be ongoing.

While they have not made a formal written offer, it is claimed that the Premier League side have put forward a 'substantial' deal verbally. That offer includes a bumper pay rise from his current £130,000-per-week deal.

But he will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with overseas teams from the start of the January transfer window. It is said there is little prospect of a deal being reached before that point, with Arsenal and Chelsea eyeing moves if he does become a free agent.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Wilfried Zaha sign a new contract at Crystal Palace? Comment below.

Zaha has starred for Crystal Palace but his contract expires at the end of the season (Getty Images)

Zaha has now insisted he is happy with life at Selhurst Park, though, having made a promising start to the season. And he has also made it clear that his focus remains on Palace, rather than on his future.

"I'm happy obviously, I just wanted to kick on from last season so yeah I'm happy. I'm amongst the goals, so I'm enjoying my football. How many times have I seen my name next to transfer stuff? Me, I never speak on these things," he told Sky Sports.

"My contract is up when my contract is up - I’m a Crystal Palace player. The only thing I’m focused on is doing well for the club. That’s it. I take every day as it comes because I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future.

"So I can’t sit here and say: ‘this is my plan for this’. No, I’m only fixated on what I’m doing tomorrow in training and then what I’m doing Sunday. So yeah I’m very devoted to Palace and that's all I'm thinking about."

Zaha will start for Palace when they travel to West Ham on Sunday, with the Eagles looking to move into the top-half of the Premier League table. They have had a mixed campaign so far, winning four, losing four and drawing four of their opening 12 games.

The attacker will have plenty of time to consider his options when the season is suspended for the World Cup after next week's round of matches. Palace's first game after Saturday's trip to Nottingham Forest will not come until Boxing Day, giving Zaha space to weigh up the offer of a new deal.

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