Wilfried Zaha update as Aston Villa look for brand new January transfer
Galatasaray star Wilfried Zaha has emerged as the latest January target for Aston Villa, according to FootballTransfers.
The website reported [10 January] that the former Crystal Palace star is the next player to be added to Unai Emery’s shortlist, with Felipe Anderson also named as a potential target.
The Villa boss is understood to be an admirer of the Ivory Coast international, who made over 400 appearances for Palace over multiple spells at Selhurst Park, including an eight-year stay until 2023.
Premier League-level forward
The 31-year-old proved over eight years with The Eagles just how dangerous an attacker he can be in the Premier League, helping Palace to avoid relegation from the Premier League season after season.
He registered 90 goals and 76 assists for the mid-table side across several years, becoming a fan favourite and a modern legend at the club.
Palace fans were devastated when Zaha waited out his contract at his former club, moving to Turkey on a free transfer and has since made 21 appearances, scoring seven goals.
Villa’s left wing is an open position currently, with Jacob Ramsey and Nicolo Zaniolo failing to stamp their mark in the starting XI yet. Zaha could fill that vacant spot with a January transfer back to the Premier League.
Still possessing incredible pace and goalscoring ability at the age of 31, the forward could present as the playmaker Ollie Watkins deserves at the club, being able to break the lines and rush in behind any defence.
Watkins is both the top goalscorer and best playmaker at Villa Park, also boasting as the joint-top assist-maker in the league, alongside Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. In light of this, Zaha could be a very welcomed addition to the Villa squad, especially by the England international.