LONDON: Crystal Palace are likely to try to loan back flying winger Wilfried Zaha from Manchester United next season after securing promotion to the Premier League.
The south Londoners beat Watford 1-0 in the Championship (second tier) play-off final on Monday. The 20-year-old Zaha won the spot kick that sealed victory in what was meant to be his final Palace game before joining champions United.
“They might want him to get experience in the Premier League playing for us rather than maybe not playing for them. I don’t know, of course,” Palace co-chairman Martin Long was quoted as saying by www.skysports.com yesterday.
“We probably will ask.”
New United boss David Moyes, who will inherit a stellar squad from the retired Alex Ferguson when he takes charge next season, must weigh up whether Zaha will get enough game time in competition with the likes of Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia.
Palace manager Ian Holloway, who spent a season in the top flight with Blackpool in 2010/11, has not given up hope of keeping his best player despite Zaha’s £15m ($22.7m) transfer.
“I think he (Moyes) would be silly to give me him back. Now we’re up it might be realistic, but who knows?” he told reporters after Kevin Phillips’ extra-time winner, which could earn Palace as much as £120m in top-flight income.
Palace, rescued from administration three years ago after a group of local businessmen took over, return to the top flight after an eight-year absence and join Cardiff City and Hull City, who won automatic promotion from the Championship.
Zaha made his England debut as a substitute in the 4-2 friendly defeat by Sweden in November, only the second Championship outfield player in five years to be called up by England.
Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez has been given the green light to open talks with Everton after asking to leave his job as Wigan Athletic manager, Latics chairman Dave Whelan announced yesterday.
The Spaniard led Wigan to a shock victory over Manchester City in this season’s FA Cup final, but the club were then relegated from the Premier League.
“He wanted permission to move, so I’ve given that,” Whelan told BBC Sport. “He has 12 months left on his present contract, so whoever comes in for him must pay the remainder of his contract.
“He feels he’s not the man to lead us into the Premier League. I’ve got to accept what he feels. He loves Wigan and the fans. We have to move on now and want applications for the job.” Martinez has been strongly linked with the vacancy at Everton created by David Moyes’ appointment as Manchester United manager, and Whelan revealed that he has authorised the Merseyside club to make an approach. AGENCIES
