Newcastle: Pundit suggests Zaha move

Newcastle United ought to make an audacious transfer for Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha, in keeping with pundit Rio Ferdinand.

What’s the phrase?

Talking on his FIVE Youtube channel, the Manchester United legend prompt that the Magpies ought to attempt to signal the 29-year-old within the close to future, with the Ivory Coast worldwide probably a attainable alternative for Allan Saint-Maximin at St James’ Park.

Requested if the northeast facet ought to swoop for the Eagles’ winger, the previous England defender acknowledged:

“Sure! All day. If I’m Newcastle, I’d purchase him straight up. I’ll take him and I’d promote Saint-Maximin. Or I’d have them each. He scores greater than Saint-Maximin.

“I feel Wilfried Zaha at Newcastle can be an issue.”

The 26-cap menace – who briefly performed alongside Ferdinand at Previous Trafford – faces an unsure future at Selhurst Park along with his current deal set to run out on the finish of the season, having notably been linked with a transfer to fellow Premier League facet Chelsea over the summer time.

Large Saint-Maximin improve

As alluded to above, the arrival of Zaha in Eddie Howe’s facet might properly see the Tynesiders decide to maneuver on cult hero Saint-Maximin, with the Frenchman – who was tipped for an exit within the latest window – having considerably struggled to ship the products frequently since his arrival from Good in 2019.

For all of the 25-year-old’s undoubted aptitude and artistic potential, that entertaining expertise has not at all times come hand in hand with an finish product, with the scintillating ahead having scored simply 12 objectives and supplied 16 assists in 93 top-flight video games thus far.

That tally consists of simply one purpose from seven league outings this season, with the one-time Monaco man having frustratingly been struck down by injury to this point this time period, with that having seemingly been the story of his time in England so far.

The 5 foot 8 winger’s greatest purpose return for the membership got here final season as he hit five objectives in 35 league appearances, albeit with that report pailing compared to the aforementioned Zaha, with the Palace sensation having already scored six occasions in simply 12 league video games this season.

The £28m-rated ace – who hit career-best figures of 14 Premier League objectives final time period – has commonly made an influence on the elite stage over time, with 67 objectives and 29 assists in 290 video games within the prime tier thus far.

Whereas Saint-Maximin little doubt presents a singular asset on account of his dribbling prowess – rating within the top 1% in that regard in Europe – his potential alternative additionally gives actual high quality along with his ball-carrying knack, because the £130k-per-week titan ranks highest within the division for whole probability creating carries (23), guaranteeing there’s finish product to match his devastating runs from deep.

The “unplayable” maverick – as dubbed by talkSPORT pundit Darren Ambrose – would be capable to comfortably slot in on the left flank in Howe’s assault, whereas additionally providing the flexibility to characteristic through the middle if wanted.

Whether or not or not it’s for a possible cut-price deal in January or on a free subsequent summer time, Newcastle might properly safe a serious coup by bringing Zaha by way of the door.