Crystal Palace ‘wil-ling’ to make £30m bid for Zaha replacement as Serie A striker opens door to Burnley move

The summer transfer window is open for business and there is a sense things are starting to host up as Premier League clubs prepare to return for pre-season training.

Just under two weeks have passed since the window opened and there are a number of big deals bubbling under the surface, with several expecting to be completed over the coming week. With progress being made on moves across the league, 3AddedMinutes looks at the transfer talk doing the rounds and gives our take on the latest speculation.

Crystal Palace identify £30million Zaha replacement

Crystal Palace are preparing a £30million for Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto as they prepare for life without Selhurst Park stalwart Wilfried Zaha.

The 30-times capped Ivory Coast international is in the final days of his current contract and is set to bring down the curtain on his second spell with the club where he made his name. The loss of Zaha - who has made over 450 appearances for Palace - will be a major blow and replacing a fan favourite will be no easy task.

However, The Mirror have now suggested Palace could take advantage of Leeds’ relegation into the Championship by making a move for Italian international Gnonto. The 19-year-old scored four goals and provided four assists in 28 appearances for the Whites last season and is one player said to be available to depart as they prepare for life in the second tier during the upcoming campaign. Everton are also said to be keen on a move for Gnonto as Sean Dyche looks to put his own stamp on the squad he inherited during the secodn half of last season.

The 3AM Verdict: “There is still a chance Zaha could extend his time with Palace but it seems increasingly likely he will ply his trade elsewhere next season. Replacing such a talismanic figure presents a significant challenge for the Selhurst Park hierarchy and they will have to be bold and brave as they look to add more creativity to their squad. There is no doubt Gnonto has shown flashes of his undoubted ability during Leeds’ unsuccessful battle against relegation - but whether he can replace Zaha’s influence on and off the field at Palace is open to question.”

Serie A striker ‘opens door’ to Burnley move

Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee is keen on a reunion with Burnley manager Vincent Kompany.

The duo worked together during Kompany’s time in charge of Anderlecht as Zirkzee netted 18 goals and provided 12 assists in 45 appearances under the former Manchester City centre-back. His form earned the former Netherlands Under-21 international a move to Serie A with Bologna last summer but he has endured a challenging first season in Italy, scoring just twice in 21 appearances in all competitions.

However, with speculation suggesting Kompany is keen to add Zirkzee to his squad in preparation for Burnley’s return to the Premier League dominating the headlines in his home country, the forward has revealed he would be willing to talk to his former manager.

“Has Kompany called yet? No, although I am in contact with many other Burnley staff,” he said, in conversation with Het Nieuwsblad. “Not necessarily about a transfer. But if Vinny calls, it might open a door that I would like to walk through.”

The 3AM Verdict: “Kompany is known to be keen to add more attacking talent to his squad as he looks to build on the momentum gained by an impressive Championship title win. Translating that progress into the Premier League will be a challenge for the Belgian, who seems likely to remain true to his philosophy of signing players he trusts. That means there could be something in this speculation - although Zirkzee’s form in Serie A is somewhat underwhelming and he will need to seriously improve if he is to prove himself in the Premier League.”