Tottenham target Wilfried Zaha’s decision to play for Ivory Coast could scupper club-record move
Reports claim Spurs are uneasy about financial benefits of deal with African Cup of Nations a potential stumbling block
WILFRIED ZAHA'S decision to play for the Ivory Coast could see Tottenham end their interest, according to reports.
The Crystal Palace star would command a club record fee, while his wages would test the limits of Spurs' strict budget.
And suggests Daniel Levy is concerned about the value of such an investment for a player he will lose for six weeks every other year.
Zaha, 24, reported for his first African Nations Cup this year after choosing to represent his homeland towards the end of last season.
Tottenham are desperate to add more pace in wide areas and have made the Eagles flier a priority.
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But after other record signings Moussa Sissoko and Eric Lamela struggled to make an impact, Levy is afraid of making another error.
Palace will demand in excess of the £30million that took Sissoko to White Hart Lane for Zaha.
And with a bumper £110,000-a-week contract on the table at Selhurst Park, his wages would not come cheap either.
Tottenham are desperate to keep wages under control with top earners Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris on deals under their market value on £100,000 per week.
Palace chairman Steve Parish confirmed Zaha is in line for an improved contract despite signing a £60,000-a-week deal last summer.
He said: “He did get a new contract last summer.
“I don't think it's about necessarily if other people are interested in him. It's about the value of the player and the value of the player within the squad.
"We've got other players earning certain amounts and that all has to come into consideration.
“Anybody would accept that Wilfried has developed as a player this season. Six goals, nine assists, by far his best tally in the Premier League.
"So you've got to look at that. As club owners and chairmen, you want to keep everyone happy.
“We don't want Wilfried just to stay here just because we tell him he's got to stay here. We want him to have the right deal for him, commensurate to where he's got to in his professional career.
"So that is what we'll be sitting down and talking about.”