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The Nairobian

Manchester United set to blow rivals with mega bid for Palace star Zaha

Football

By - | Nov 18, 2012

- Daily Mail

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to launch a bid to sign Crystal Palace sensation Wilfried Zaha with an offer that will blow away any other interested clubs.

Ferguson decided to enter the race to England’s newest star when he received the recommendation from his son Darren, after Zaha ripped his Peterborough side apart a few weeks ago.

And now United are set to offer ‘what it takes’ to see off Tottenham and Arsenal in the January window which includes handing the 20-year-old better terms to come to Old Trafford.

According to The Sunday People, Ferguson has kept an eye on Zaha since he dazzled against them in Palace’s shock League Cup triumph last season.

A United source told The People: “Sir Alex now thinks Zaha has the skill and bottle to play for United – and he wants him badly.”

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Palace are hoping to get £20million for Zaha but will realistically settle for half of that – a figure United will gladly pay, having paid similar sums for emerging talents Phil Jones from Blackburn and Chris Smalling from Fulham.

Ferguson sees Zaha as a Cristiano Ronaldo-style attacker, capable of playing down either wing and scoring goals through pace and trickery.

Zaha is seen as the ideal replacement for Nani who is in a contract dispute and may be on his way out, creating a gap in the United squad. Spurs and Arsenal are also keen but will struggle against United.

The Ivory Coast-born kid has lived in London since he was four, but he would head north if the clubs can sort out a fee.

While Palace would like to keep him for their promotion push, the auction could reach a level where they cannot refuse.

Palace boss Ian Holloway, meanwhile, fears the youngster's progress could suffer as result of his elevation to the England senior squad.

“It’s a difficult time for him as everything has happened at once.

'This could damage a young man who is as pure a footballer as he is.

“He has to learn to handle it, put the emotion away and do his job.”