Wilfried Zaha is “every bit as good as Riyad Mahrez” and worth £60 million ($77m) to those pursuing his signature, says former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan.
The Ivory Coast international is reported to be pushing for a move away from Selhurst Park this summer.
A return to Manchester United has been mooted for the 26-year-old, while the likes of Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund have also been credited with interest.
Concerns have been raised as to whether his asking price may put potential suitors off, but Jordan believes a proven Premier League performer should be valued as highly as a two-time title winner at Manchester City.
He told talkSPORT when quizzed on the speculation surrounding Zaha: “Without wanting to alienate myself from a group of fans I adore, I think now is the time for Zaha to go.
Next Match
“I think Palace need a change of direction and probably need to be able to rebuild with the right amount of monies being achieved for Zaha.
“Now, I don't think that right amount of monies is likely to be £80m, but I certainly think it's in the £50m or £60m bracket and I think he can play for any of the top-six clubs.
“I think he's a £60m player - I think he's every bit as good as Mahrez.
“He hasn't played in sides quite as fashionable, because Leicester won the league when Mahrez was in his pomp and now he is at Manchester City, while Wilfried has played at Crystal Palace.
“So I'm not surprised now Wilf wants the opportunity to ply his trade somewhere else.”
Getty Images
Part of the problem for Zaha, and of benefit to Palace, is that he only penned a new contract in the summer of 2018.
That deal was supposed to run for five years, meaning that the Eagles can push up their asking price for a prized asset.
Jordan added: “When he signed a contract, my mindset was that it's merely Crystal Palace maintaining the value and negotiation for in a year's time.
“If they've got Wilfried on a four or five-year contract there can be no leverage that any football club can put on them to be able to get this player for a fraction of his worth.
“So I'm not surprised we are now at the point where Wilfried is making his intentions very clear.”
