Tottenham news: The truth about interest in Wilfried Zaha

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace applauds the fans after being substituted during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on May 21, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace applauds the fans after being substituted during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on May 21, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)

Tottenham are still interested in signing Wilfried Zaha

There’s been a lot of speculation today about the possibility of Tottenham going in again for Crystal Palace Wilfried Zaha. First, reports claimed that Spurs were prepared to make a bid, then club sources insisted there was no longer any interest. What’s the truth about Mauricio Pochettino’s interest in the talented winger?

It’s actually pretty easy to see what’s going on here if you read between the lines. Zaha was clearly ready to sign a bumper new deal with the Eagles before Sam Allardyce’s shocking resignation. Now he is rethinking his future.

Tottenham clearly believed he was going to commit his future to Palace as well. It’s very likely that Pochettino, Daniel Levy and company had already begun to make inquiries about other targets. They were caught off guard by the changes at Palace just like everyone else.

The club’s immediate reaction was to immediately check in with Zaha’s representatives. That action was probably what caused reporters to start linking Spurs with the player once again. Zaha’s agents certainly didn’t do anything to discourage the club’s interest.

After that, Tottenham officials started to realize that expressing too much immediate interest in Zaha was likely going to cost them millions of pounds at the negotiating table. That’s why club officials have now begun to insist they have no interest in signing the skillful winger. Showing their hand right now does the club no good.

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Crystal Palace will almost certainly resist all advances to sign Zaha until they’re able to sign a new manager. They still want to keep him at Selhurst Park. Only a massive financial offer could tempt them to sell before naming his new boss.

As a result, Spurs are smart to slow play their interest for the time being. Don’t be surprised if you see quite a few rumours pop up connecting the club with Zaha alternatives over the next week or two. Daniel Levy isn’t going to let Palace know that he’s ready to come in with a realistic transfer offer until they’re ready to consider a sale.

In the end, don’t expect any real clarification on Zaha’s status anytime soon. Crystal Palace will continue to posture as if he’s going to sign a new contract any day while Spurs will pretend to be enthralled solely with other targets.

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The truth of the matter will only come out once Palace have a new manager. Once that happens, expect Tottenham to begin to chase Zaha with real intent. That is, unless Spurs move for another wide man while the Eagles drag their feet.