Palace valuation puts Spurs off move for Wilfried Zaha

Tottenham look set to end their interest in Wilfried Zaha after discovering Crystal Palace value the winger at an incredible £70million.

Spurs are determined to back coach Mauricio Pochettino in the transfer window this summer and Zaha is one of the high-profile targets they have been considering bringing in.

Zaha enjoyed a superb season at Palace and was instrumental in keeping them in the Premier League. Aged just 25, he fits Tottenham’s transfer remit of a young player who has more years at the top and, if need be, sell-on value.

Despite now representing Ivory Coast at international level, he would still crucially count as a homegrown player in their Champions League squad next term due to coming through Palace’s academy.

Palace have no desire to sell their prized asset, though, and Standard Sport understands that they regard him in a similar bracket as Riyad Mahrez, who could soon be joining Manchester City from Leicester for £75m.

Instead of cashing in, Roy Hodgson’s side are actually planning to offer Zaha another new contract.

He agreed a five-year deal worth around £110,000 a week in May 2017. The plan then was to scare off other clubs from pursuing him and that’s the case now, too.

Tottenham see Zaha as an upgrade on the inconsistent Erik Lamela, as well as an option to play up front.

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He scored nine goals in 29 League appearances last season, despite having two spells out with injury, and Palace did not win any of the nine matches he missed.

But it is believed Spurs are having second thoughts about maintaining their interest due to how much Palace think he is worth, on top of their firm intention to keep him long term.

Tottenham are also keen on Manchester United’s Anthony Martial, who has become unsettled at Old Trafford under manager Jose Mourinho. Martial started just 18 League games in 2017-18 and is thinking about his future at the club, especially as his lack of games contributed to him being left out of France’s World Cup squad.

The 22-year-old, who joined from Monaco for an initial £36m in 2015, will not be easy to prise away from United either. However, as Standard Sport revealed last month, Mourinho is confident he can sign Tottenham centre-half Toby Alderweireld.