Could Zaha make sensational move to Dortmund?

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 10 Jan 2023 17:41 GMT
• 3 min read

Wilfried Zaha is out of contract with Crystal Palace in the summer with London clubs Arsenal and Chelsea already circling, but Borussia Dortmund could be ready to beat them to the punch.

Zaha has become a Palace icon, hitting 89 goals and 75 assists in his two spells with the Eagles, which were separated by a brief interlude at Manchester United between 2013 and 2015.

But Zaha has yet to agree terms on a new deal at Selhurst Park, and he can already discuss terms on a Bosman transfer to a non-English club from January with his existing deal expiring in June.

READ: Will Wilfried Zaha join Arsenal or Chelsea on a free transfer?

A move across London was considered likely, with it just a question of how far, but Dortmund came close to making Zaha their record €58.3 million signing in the summer of 2018 and they could come back in for him now, even at 30, especially given his transfer fee now, or lack thereof.

"Superstar Jude Bellingham (19) can hardly be held back in the summer of 2023 after his super World Cup," stormed Bild of Dortmund's coming summer transfer window on Tuesday. "There is also another explosive factor: Youssoufa Moukoko's expiring contract."

Whist England midfielder Bellingham is wanted by Manchester City, Liverpool and Real Madrid, it is Moukoko's future which is most likely to lead Dortmund back to Zaha.

READ: Chelsea to beat Man Utd and Liverpool to Moukoko transfer

Ideal replacement

Unusually for a club who have cashed in on Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland to the tune of €85m and €60m respectively in consecutive summers, Dortmund have let Moukoko's contract get away from them, and they face the very real prospect of losing the 18-year-old Germany striker on a free.

Dortmund also don't normally sign older players, although Anthony Modeste, who currently provides competition for Moukoko in attack, arrived last summer from Cologne at the age of 34.

Zaha also has stylistic similarities to Moukoko - a versatile attacker able to lead the line or play deeper and wider off a target man - and there isn't much need for a return on in investment outside of goals should he be acquired for nothing.

What this space. Chelsea and Arsenal certainly will be!