Wilfried Zaha has an opportunity to back up Rio Ferdinand's claim the Crystal Palace playmaker should join Newcastle United amid contract uncertainty at Selhurst Park. The Eagles forward is out of contract this summer and has been tipped with a move to a club pushing for European football
"If I am Newcastle, I would buy him [Zaha] straight off. I would take him, and I would sell Saint-Maximin," Ferdinand said last year on his Vibe With Five YouTube channel.
"Or I would have them both. He scores more than Saint-Maximin. Keep Saint-Maximin or whatever, but Wilfried Zaha at Newcastle is a problem."
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Allan Saint-Maximin has had his fair share of injury problems this season and has missed a large chunk of the campaign. However, now back fully fit, the Frenchman has had to settle for a place on the bench, with Eddie Howe sticking with a front three of Miggy Almiron, Joelinton and Callum Wilson.
There have been plenty of rumours regarding the immediate future of Saint-Maximin, with links rife in the summer suggesting he could leave. Fellow Frenchman, Emmanuel Petit has told his former club Arsenal to make a move for the winger, which could pave the way for Zaha to move to Tyneside.
Encouragingly, the Ivory Coast international would not cost Newcastle a substantial transfer fee in the summer, if he were to agree a move to St. James' Park. This weekend's game at Selhurst Park would be an audition for the forward, should he wish to impress.
Sporting director Dan Ashworth has already hinted that Newcastle's summer transfer plans point to a busier summer transfer window.
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