Ahead of Thursday’s 11pm deadline, Arsenal are considering a move to sign Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace.
The Ivory Coast international has started the 2022/23 campaign in red hot form for the south Londoners, scoring four goals in four Premier League games so far.
Mikel Arteta and Edu – Director of Football at the Emirates Stadium – will have taken notice of his efforts, although Zaha’s comments after Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Brentford do not offer much encouragement to the Gunners.
What’s the story?
Well, when asked about his future, the 29-year-old showed nothing but love for Crystal Palace.
Speaking to BT Sport, Zaha said: “We’ve got a massive understanding. Everyone literally understands me. It’s different, it’s hard to explain but it feels like a family here.”
Of course, anything can happen in a transfer window, although these comments suggest to us that the Crystal Palace No.11 is more than happy to stay at Selhurst Park.
Chelsea are also said to be interested in signing Zaha as Thomas Tuchel looks to improve his attack.
However, Barcelona are confident of sealing a deal to send Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Stamford Bridge, which would rule out a move for the Ivorian as well.
Arsenal must strike 2023 agreement with Wilfried Zaha
In our view, Arteta and Edu should focus on putting Arsenal in a position to be front of the queue when Zaha becomes a free agent in July 2023.
The £130,000-a-week man has already entered the final 12 months of his contract in SE25, and seeing as he handed in a transfer request back in 2019 with Champions League football on his mind, we can’t see him signing a new deal.
There is certain to be a number of clubs queueing up to sign a player of his quality on a free transfer, so Arsenal must do what they can to lay down foundations now, and beat the chasing pack ahead of schedule.
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