Tottenham Hotspur are on the verge of securing their third successive top-four finish and to reach that next level they are going to have to break the bank under Daniel Levy. In terms of signings, Spurs need to look no further than the irreplaceable Wilfred Zaha who has been one of the standout players in the league this season.
The 25-year-old played a vital role in Palace overturning a one-goal deficit to beat Stoke City 2-1 on Saturday, ensuring Palace finally reached that magical 40 point mark that ensures their Premier League safety and sees them flying high 11th in the table.
Palace went 1-0 down early on but goals from James McArthur and Patrick van Aanholt got the three points and ended Stoke’s 10-year stay in the Premier League as Paul Lambert’s side were relegated to the Championship.
Making 28 Premier League appearances this season, the former Manchester United attacker, who was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson, has been involved with almost one goal every two matches. The Ivory Coast international has scored eight, as well as providing five assists for the Eagles this season.
Zaha has a contract at Selhurst Park for another four years. However, Daniel Levy needs a marquee signing to get the fans excited for their new stadium move next season and Zaha could just be that.
Sky Sports pundits Paul Mesrson and Paul Thompson have also tipped the Palace winger as the best player in the Premier League outside the ‘top-six’ and, despite a price tag estimated at £50 million, Zaha is showcasing he is ready to take his talents to Europe and Spurs can offer him just that.
The PFA Player of the Month for April has been extraordinary for Roy Hodgson’s side this season and has even featured as a striker at times, proving his importance in all areas for Palace. In the nine Premier League games without Zaha, the Eagles have not picked up a single point and have scored just three goals.
After losing their first seven matches without scoring a goal, Hodgson has not only steadied the ship at Selhurst Park but has proved an excellent appointment, turning their season around to take them nine points clear of the drop zone.
Despite struggling under David Moyes at Manchester United, Zaha is demonstrating the quality that legendary manager Ferguson saw in him during his first spell at Palace and, at just 25, his best years are very much ahead of him.
Should Spurs take a gamble and invest in the winger it may be the addition that not only puts in more of a title charge next season but could be the added strength in depth to the squad that can propel them further in Europe.