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Chelsea are plotting a move for Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha, as per the Express. The English outlet claims that the Blues could potentially include out-of-favor winger Callum Hudson-Odoi in a swap deal to sign the Ivorian winger.
The Eagles are reportedly interested in bringing the Englishman to Selhurst Park this summer, with Zaha possibly heading in the opposite direction to Stamford Bridge.
The Ivory Coast international secured a place in the Premier League with a permanent transfer to Manchester United during the January transfer window in 2013. However, Zaha was immediately loaned back to Palace for the remainder of that season. He returned to the Eagles on a permanent basis in 2015 and has since become a club icon. Zaha has scored 61 goals and provided 40 assists in 264 Premier League games for Crystal Palace.
According to a report by 90min, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, who is looking for a centre-forward as well as a wide player, is keeping tabs on Zaha. The only attacking player that the German manager has signed this summer is Raheem Sterling from Manchester City. The Blues missed out on Raphinha, who secured a move to Barcelona.
Apart from Hudson-Odoi, Palace are reportedly interested in a number of other Blues players as well, including Conor Gallagher, who could be included in the swap deal.
As per the aforementioned report, sources close to Zaha say that the player has expressed his desire to play Champions League football. This makes a move to Stamford Bridge highly possible, as the Ivorian only has a year left on his contract with Crystal Palace.
Chelsea midfielder inclined to stay at Stamford Bridge amid interest from Premier League clubs
According to Fabrizio Romano (via Caught Offside), Conor Gallagher prefers to remain with the Blues despite interest from other Premier League clubs. However, the transfer expert reports that the final decision will most probably be made by Tuchel.
In his exclusive column for Caught Offside, Romano wrote:
“It won’t be easy for clubs to sign Gallagher this summer because the player still hopes to stay at Chelsea. So far the situation is quiet. As well as West Ham, there was also interest from Everton in June but no advanced negotiations precisely because Thomas Tuchel will decide on Gallagher.”
The midfield spent last season on loan at Crystal Palace, becoming the Eagles' 'Player of the Year'. The Englishman scored eight goals and provided three assists in 34 Premier League appearances for the south London side.
