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Young talent is often at the top of most managers’ shopping lists, all the more so if it can be brought in at an attractive price. According to recent reports, Wigan have an eye on Crystal Palace’s 19-year-old winger Wilfried Zaha (pictured above, left) and are mulling over a £3m offer, while 21-year-old Newcastle full-back Davide Santon is wanted back in his Italian homeland by AS Roma. Is there any truth in these rumours? And more importantly, how likely are these deals to go through? The Life’s a Pitch team take a look.

The Guardian’s Dominic Fifield doubts Wigan will convince Crystal Palace to part with Zaha (pictured) for a fee as small as £3m. “I wouldn’t have thought so, not judging by the comments of Palace co-owner Steve Parish, who was particularly unimpressed with Roberto Martínez saying Wigan would only be prepared if a deal represented value for money to them. Which, as far as Wigan are concerned, is about £3m. That’s only marginally more than Wigan paid for Victor Moses two years ago – when Palace were in administration – and they sold him for £9m a year and a half later. I don’t see it [happening]. Wilf Zaha and Jonny Williams are two reasons to go and watch Crystal Palace this season. They’re both raw, they’re nowhere near the finished article and they will both benefit from staying in the Championship for at least another year, probably more, to develop their game. Palace will resist that sale, so two or three out of 10.”

What about the Santon to Roma rumours? The People’s Tom Hopkinson is equally sceptical. ”He’s been playing very well and Newcastle won’t want to lose him. The fact that he’s playing well will have alerted other clubs to him, so I’ve no doubt that Roma are in for him and they’ve got a little bit of money to spend. I just can’t see Newcastle letting him go, unless Santon says: ‘Look, I am seriously homesick.’ So I think two or three out of 10.”

Watch the full video discussion by clicking on the play button in the image above. 

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