CRYSTAL Palace have reportedly dismissed national media speculation suggesting that a deal for star player Wilfried Zaha to Manchester United has been agreed, Advertiser Sport understands.
According to one newspaper in particular on Monday, the 20-year-old had 'held talks with Sir Alex Ferguson' on Sunday evening and that the initial transfer fee was set to be around £10m with an £5m coming from appearances and achievements at Old Trafford.
However, the Eagles have apparently told one television sports channel that this is not the case.
Furthermore, United chief executive David Gill was quoted last week suggesting a move for the Ivory Coast-born man would likely to happen during the summer and not during the current transfer window.
He said: "He's one of the players we are looking at, but it is far from done.
"That is all I will say at the moment. I've been in football long enough to say that is not done until it's done.
"Even if we did do something with Wilfried, that would be for the summer."
Last week, Eagles boss Ian Holloway reacted angrily to yet another question about the winger from the media and said if there was anything to report, it will be from him and the club themselves.
"I'm sick and tired of reading about him," he said. "If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't.
"How many hours and days until the end of this stupid, pathetic transfer window that forces people to do things?
"Why do people put speculation on things when it hasn't happened yet?
"If it happens, we'll tell you about it. In the meantime, what about the rest of my team?
"If the media had an accurate story, it wouldn't be bad, would it? I know they're trying to do their job but at the end of the day, what is speculation?"
According to one newspaper in particular on Monday, the 20-year-old had 'held talks with Sir Alex Ferguson' on Sunday evening and that the initial transfer fee was set to be around £10m with an £5m coming from appearances and achievements at Old Trafford.
However, the Eagles have apparently told one television sports channel that this is not the case.
Furthermore, United chief executive David Gill was quoted last week suggesting a move for the Ivory Coast-born man would likely to happen during the summer and not during the current transfer window.
He said: "He's one of the players we are looking at, but it is far from done.
"That is all I will say at the moment. I've been in football long enough to say that is not done until it's done.
"Even if we did do something with Wilfried, that would be for the summer."
Last week, Eagles boss Ian Holloway reacted angrily to yet another question about the winger from the media and said if there was anything to report, it will be from him and the club themselves.
"I'm sick and tired of reading about him," he said. "If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't.
"How many hours and days until the end of this stupid, pathetic transfer window that forces people to do things?
"Why do people put speculation on things when it hasn't happened yet?
"If it happens, we'll tell you about it. In the meantime, what about the rest of my team?
"If the media had an accurate story, it wouldn't be bad, would it? I know they're trying to do their job but at the end of the day, what is speculation?"
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