Crystal Palace squad not affected by Wilfried Zaha transfer speculation, insists Mamadou Sakho

Mamadou Sakho insists speculation surrounding Wilfried Zaha’s future is not a distraction for the rest of the Crystal Palace squad.

Zaha has been heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Park this summer and both Arsenal and Everton have failed with bids.

Palace are growing increasingly confident the Ivorian will be an Eagles player when the transfer window shuts next Thursday, but that has not put a stop to speculation.

However when asked if all the talk around Zaha’s future was a distraction, Sakho replied: “No.

“I have played for different teams, such as PSG and Liverpool. Every pre-season you have a lot of names and newspapers.

"For us I think the team has worked really hard in pre-season. We are players, we have to talk on the pitch. Outside [of that] is like the wind.

“We are all working hard to be the best we can. Wilf is a really good player, we all know that. Just like Christian [Benteke] is, like [James] Tomkins is, like lots of players.”

Sakho played 60 minutes for Crystal Palace last night during a 2-2 draw at AFC Wimbledon as he continues his comeback from five months out with a knee injury.

The French defender sacrificed his summer holidays to get fit and is now hoping to be ready for the Eagles’ Premier League opener against Everton next week.

“All the physios and doctors did a great job,” said Sakho.

“I have worked really hard, even during the holidays. I was in Dubai and I was working there. I went to Miami and I was working hard.

“I feel good and I am happy after five months out. I am working hard to come back as soon as possible and to give everything I can for this squad, like always.”