Report: Crystal Palace want McNeil as Zaha replacement but face competition from Tottenham and Newcastle

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Crystal Palace want Dwight McNeil but face competition from Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, according to The Guardian.

Burnley winger McNeil is a wanted man ahead of the January transfer window. Crystal Palace reportedly want McNeil to replace Wilfried Zaha if he leaves. The Ivory Coast winger is on Chelsea’s wishlist after the transfer ban was lifted.

Palace will demand £80m for Zaha and reinvest some of that money in McNeil. But they will have to fend off interest from Premier League rivals Tottenham and Newcastle.

Spurs have been looking at young domestic players recently and they bought Ryan Sessegnon and Jack Clarke in the summer. McNeil, an England U21 international, could be the next to move to north London.

Meanwhile, Newcastle need some creativity going forward. Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin have both scored one goal this season but the other attackers have not found the net. McNeil has scored once and provided four assists so he could be an option.

TBR’s view

McNeil is a promising talent for the future but there is a lot of work to be done still. If he joined Tottenham, he would probably benefit from a loan before staking a claim for a first-team spot.

The 20-year-old might get more game time at Newcastle or Palace. And he could benefit the other attackers at St James’ Park. With an excellent left-footed delivery, Joelinton or Andy Carroll might thrive on the end of McNeil’s crosses.