Allardyce wants to sell Zaha for going to Africa

LONDON: Sam Allardyce is so angry with Wilfried Zaha over his African Nations Cup call-up he is considering selling him for £30mil (RM165mil).

And Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, who attempted to land the Crystal Palace winger in August, has admitted he still wants him.

Zaha, who played twice for England, switched allegiance to the Ivory Coast – the country of his birth.

Zaha has been named in their provisional squad for the tournament in Gabon and will travel to Abu Dhabi for a training camp after Palace’s crunch relegation home clash with Swansea on Tuesday.

It is a huge blow for new Eagles boss Allardyce who could lose Zaha, 24, for more than a month.

The ex-England chief is looking to deliver a decent run of results after taking over before Boxing Day’s 1-1 draw with Watford.

Zaha initially told former manager Alan Pardew he would snub the tournament – which could now see him miss six weeks with Palace – as his sights were set on the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

But the player has now been persuaded to join the Elephants squad.

Their United Arab Emirates training camp starts on Sunday, but Zaha wants to play in the games against Arsenal and Swansea so has been given permission to arrive late.

Allardyce and chairman Steve Parish are angry, though, at his determination to play in the competition.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has considered making a £30mil bid in next month’s window.

One idea was to agree a deal in principle, with Zaha then completing the season at his boyhood club before the deal is officially completed in June. But the situation could now change with Palace extremely frustrated.

Zaha played for England against Sweden in November 2012 and Scotland the following year but was eligible for a switch because neither of the games were competitive.