Wilfried Zaha says he is “too ambitious” to stay with Crystal Palace for the rest of his career.
Zaha signed a five-year deal to become the highest-paid player in Palace history last summer, thereby rejecting all manner of suitors.
But the 26-year-old has suggested that he is ready to leave Selhurst Park, with at least six clubs expected to be interested in signing him.
“I’m too ambitious. And not ambitious just to play for a top club, but to win things at club level and with the Ivory Coast,” he told the Daily Mail.
“For me to be better, to achieve what I know I am capable of, I have to aim to play at the very highest level, to win trophies. I’m blessed to have come this far in my playing career. But I feel like there is so much more I have to offer.
“I have to experience the Champions League. I just need the opportunity, that’s it. And I’ll do the rest.
“It gives me goosebumps seeing the crowds, amazing stadiums. When I’m seeing players I think, ‘What would I do in that predicament?’
“I feel I can get to that stage, with the confidence I have and belief in my ability. I should be there. I’m missing out. I don’t just want to be at home watching it.
“Real players, when the time comes, it’s that big stage, they’re the ones that step up. I want to be that player in the big game.”
The article adds that Arsenal ‘are big fans’ of the winger, who ‘impressed’ Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on loan at Cardiff in 2014. United could therefore look to re-sign a player who struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford when he joined a year prior.
Inter Milan and Dortmund would also be interested, while Chelsea and Tottenham ‘have been keen’ on Zaha previously.
Palace would want a fee ‘well above £50m’ to part with their best player, but ‘there is a growing feeling behind the scenes’ that it ‘is the right time’ to sell him.