Crystal Palace have rejected an attempt by Bayern Munich to sign Wilfried Zaha on loan until the end of the season, with the Premier League club determined not to allow their prized asset to leave for less than £80m.
The German champions held talks this week with the Ivory Coast forward’s new agent, Pini Zahavi, who is attempting to secure Zaha’s departure from Selhurst Park after proposed moves to Arsenal and Everton failed to materialise in the summer.
Bayern, who will face Chelsea in the Champions League last 16, offered to take the 27-year-old on loan with a view to signing him permanently in the summer, although it is understood that proposal was immediately dismissed.
The German club are still hopeful of signing Leroy Sané from Manchester City at the end of the season, having failed last summer, but could return to Zaha if unsuccessful. Palace have reluctantly accepted that Zaha can leave if a club matches his valuation but, with Chelsea’s interest reported to have cooled, it remains to be seen whether he will move this month.
Zaha, who has been represented by Will Salthouse of Unique Sports Management (USM) for the majority of his career, switched to the Italian agent Federico Pastorello after failing to secure a transfer in the summer before joining Zahavi. The Israeli has strong ties at Stamford Bridge and has been attempting to persuade Chelsea to move for the forward, while also attempting to resurrect Tottenham’s longstanding interest.
It is understood that USM would be due compensation if he does complete a transfer because Zaha is under contract there for six more months. They are said to still be on good terms, with Zaha’s brother employed by USM.
