Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira insists he is not contemplating losing star man Wilfried Zaha before the transfer deadline.
Zaha, who has been linked with London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal, emphasised his value to Palace with a stunning opener in Tuesday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Brentford.
The in-form forward has now hit four goals in as many games this term but was ultimately left frustrated after Bees substitute Yoane Wissa claimed a late equaliser.
Vieira says there has been no approach for his talisman as he dismissed reports about him potentially leaving.
“I didn’t even put that in my head, I didn’t even ask myself that question,” replied the Frenchman when asked if he is confident Zaha will still be at Selhurst Park after the window closes on Thursday.
“I am working with him every day and there is nothing crossing my mind that something like that will happen.
“The only thing he is showing is competitiveness on the field, doing well for this football club that he loves very much.
“There is nothing coming from any other club. Wilfried is playing his football, he is enjoying his football and, as a manager or the chairman, there is nothing from anybody.
“We are in a period where there is a lot of things going on in the papers and regarding Wilfried there is nothing true in that. This is the only thing I can tell you.”
Having missed Saturday’s 4-2 loss at Manchester City due to a leg issue, Zaha was back in the spotlight against the Bees.
The Ivory Coast international, whose contract expires next summer, once again underlined his importance to the Eagles by breaking the deadlock with a stunning effort into the top right corner in the 59th minute.
But dogged Brentford battled back and levelled through a header from unmarked substitute Wissa two minutes from time and went close to a winner, with Rico Henry squandering a golden chance before Ben Mee headed against the crossbar.
“Today we needed something special to score goals and Wilfried delivered,” added Vieira, who was relieved to hang on for a draw.
“He’s used to it (speculation) and when you look at his smile when he scored that goal, it’s saying everything. I think the smile on his face shows how happy he is in this football club.
“We are lucky not to concede that second goal at the end because they had the best chances. When you’re looking at the game now, we are quite fortunate to get the point.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
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Director: Ayan Mukerji
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Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
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- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
Biography
Favourite drink: Must have karak chai and Chinese tea every day
Favourite non-Chinese food: Arabic sweets and Indian puri, small round bread of wheat flour
Favourite Chinese dish: Spicy boiled fish or anything cooked by her mother because of its flavour
Best vacation: Returning home to China
Music interests: Enjoys playing the zheng, a string musical instrument
Enjoys reading: Chinese novels, romantic comedies, reading up on business trends, government policy changes
Favourite book: Chairman Mao Zedong’s poems
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh100,000 (estimate)
Engine 2.4L four-cylinder
Gearbox Nine-speed automatic
Power 184bhp at 6,400rpm
Torque 237Nm at 3,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.4L/100km
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