Lazio have been linked with a move for outgoing Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha but one key factor may force them to look elsewhere.
The 30-year-old Ivorian winger is preparing to leave his boyhood club for a second time, with his contract expiring next week. He has continued to be a talismanic figure for Crystal Palace and has received a wealth of interest from across Europe ahead of the summer transfer window.
Fabrizio Romano reported on Friday that Lazio had approached Zaha to start exploring a possible free transfer, wanting to start negotiations. In the past, the Ivorian winger has been linked with a move to Roma.
As highlighted by LazioNews24, one thing that will likely push Lazio to focus on other targets is the costs of a deal for Zaha. He is looking to earn at least €4 million net per season and his agent wants €10 million in commission fees, figures that are out of reach for the club.
Whilst things could change, it seems likely that Lazio will pursue lower cost deals instead, wanting to add at least four or five new players to Maurizio Sarri’s squad this summer.
As a Palace fan of over 50 years I would dearly love to see Zaha remain, however I do recognise and respect his wishes to move to a bigger club that can offer him his wish of Champions League football if that is his intent. What I do feel aggrieved, angry about and sorry for Lazio in all this is the restricting factor of a parasite-agent (and their are many of these) demanding 10m Euros for their fuck-all services to football where only they benefit and clubs and fans then ultimately pay the price. As much as I love you Zaha, shame on you for allowing your agent to dictate in such a manner. You are far better than that.