Report: Manchester United Looking to Tie Up Zaha Deal This Week

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has missed his squad's training camp to Qatar in an attempt to seal a deal for Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, according to a report in The Guardian.

The Reds will embark on a couple of days of warm weather training ahead of an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Fulham, but Ferguson has remained at home as he prepares to put the finishing touches to an audacious swoop for Zaha.

The recently capped England international has been the source of interest for a host of Premier League clubs, but it appears United have won the race to secure the services of the £12 million-rated 20-year-old.

Palace officials had been reticent to lose their star man, but United's willingness to loan him back to Selhurst Park for the remainder of the season to aid Palace's promotion push may have convinced the Eagles to agree to an early sale.

Ian Holloway's side currently sit fourth in the Championship—just two points away from an automatic promotion slot—and The Guardian say that the Londoners may also ask for Nick Powell to be sent on loan as a further sweetener.

Zaha has emerged as one of the most talented players outside of the top flight, and a string of impressive performances led to him earning his first England cap in November's friendly against Sweden.

Should Zaha's move to Old Trafford be completed, it will further antagonize Arsenal fans who were hoping to see the Ivory Coast born youngster join the Gunners.

Fees much higher than the expected £12 million had originally been floated, but whilst Arsene Wenger once again sat and pondered, the old master Ferguson has wasted little time in acquiring a player he sees as being integral to the Manchester United set-up for years to come.

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