Zaha 'was good enough to play for Real Madrid' as Jordan gives advice amid Saudi interest

That is according to former Eagles chairman Simon Jordan, who has urged the 30-year-old to shun a summer switch to Saudi Arabia.

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Zaha is set to depart Selhurst Park on a free transfer when his contract in south London expires at the end of the season.

talkSPORT revealed earlier this month how Arsenal and Chelsea were two possible options for the Ivorian, with other European giants also keen on him.

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Meanwhile, there have been reports that that he could potentially link up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr in the Middle East.

And it was also reported how Al Nassr's rivals Al Ittihad have offered the ex-Manchester United forward a £9million-a-year deal worth £320k-per-week.

Jordan believes that Zaha is too good to play in the Gulf nation, stressing his quality could have taken him all the way to the Bernabeu.

Speaking on the White and Jordan show, he said: "I do think Wilfried Zaha could have played for Real Madrid, he's that good.

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"He's that good. He could have. Who has guided his career?

"Maybe if he had some ghastly individual like Kia Joorabchian rolling him around, pushing him everywhere, then maybe he'd have gotten better opportunities."

He continued: "Wilfried Zaha, I don't think should go to Saudi. I don't.

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"I think I'd much prefer him operating at the highest level because I know he's good enough.

"If he chooses at this stage of his career at 30/31 years of age to run after £15million…

"If Wilfried Zaha is happy with his career, who are you, who am I, and who are all of these no-nothings about what Wilfried Zaha's view is, to tell him what he should and shouldn't do?

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"If it stops him playing for Ivory Coast…"

Interjecting, Jim White claimed that Jordan continuously gives Zaha a pass due to his Palace connections.

It led Jordan to bite back, saying: "No, I give him a pass because I think in this instance he's got a right to make a decision."

Palace boss Vieira commented on the speculation linking Zaha with a Saudi switch in his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday's derby clash at Brighton, which is live and exclusive on talkSPORT 2.

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The Frenchman remarked: "We want to keep him, but it is his decision. We are waiting to see what he wants but we will do everything to him at the club.

"His focus is on games, the important thing is we start winning games.

"He's committed to take the club further. He's committed every day the way he is training, he's focused on how can we have everybody fit and take the club forward.

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"I believe the club is doing what they can do to keep him here. He knows how much the football club love him."