Arsenal and Chelsea boosted as Ornstein reveals 'many think' Zaha 'will go as a free agent' this summer

The likes of Arsenal and Chelsea have been boosted as David Ornstein has revealed that "many believe" Wilfried Zaha will "leave as a free agent".

Zaha has been a star at Crystal Palace in recent years after returning to the club from Manchester United.

The striker had a great season in terms of goalscoring last season as he netted 14 times in the league.

He has also had a strong start to the 2022/23 campaign as he has been involved in six goals in nine appearances.

The Ivory Coast international has been linked with Arsenal and Chelsea late in the summer transfer window.

Zaha has now entered the final year of his contract with Crystal Palace but Patrick Vieira is calm about the situation.

Earlier this month he insisted that Zaha's contract situation was 'not a problem' for Palace.

"It's not a problem at all," Vieira said.

"Wilfried knows what the club thinks of him and we know what he thinks of the club.

"There will be a discussion but for me and for the club, what is important for him is to play at this level and to be consistent and to help these young players around him to grow and we'll see what happens happen."

Reports of Zaha's departure from Palace will intensify over the coming months if he does not sign a contract extension.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have been encouraged by Gabriel Agbonlahor to make a move for Zaha.

Now Ornstein (The Athletic) has suggested that "a number of clubs will consider" signing Zaha.

He also adds that many believe Zaha will stick it out and leave Crystal Palace on a free transfer.

“Palace would love to sign Zaha to sign him to a new contract, I’m sure. But with free agency looming and he never got that big move that many were anticipating,” Ornstein said on the Vibe with Five podcast.

"Of course he went to Manchester United and it didn't work out but since then we've seen Arsenal linked with him, we've seen Tottenham at different times and we've seen Chelsea last summer.< /p>

"That move didn't happen. Palace value him so much because they know without him there's a good chance they'll end up in a relegation tumble.

"So they've always priced it very high. There will be a number of clubs looking at it and wondering if they can have it for nothing in the summer of 2023.

"There will be conversations, I'm sure. Many in the game think he'll stick it out and leave as a free agent and play in the Champions League."

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