According to the Daily Mail, there are doubts about the future of Wilfried Zaha at Crystal Palace, with Arsenal and Liverpool sniffing around.
It was Calciomercato who revealed that Jürgen Klopp wants the Ivory Coast international at Anfield, whereas it was 90min who claimed that Mikel Arteta is a huge admirer, and the Gunners could make a move in January.
Zaha has entered the final 12 months of his contract, which expires in July, and is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club in January.
Now, Arteta and Klopp have been given a boost in their respective pursuits.
Arsenal & Liverpool boosted
Well, the Daily Mail believe Crystal Palace – who paid just £6m to buy Zaha back from Manchester United – are now fearful of losing their talisman.
It is said that the 29-year-old has been verbally offered a bumper new contract, although an agreement is yet to be reached.
The Daily Mail state that Crystal Palace have offered Zaha a significant raise on his current £130,000-a-week wages, although they are no closer to striking a deal with their talisman.
Ultimately, it isn’t about money.
Zaha handed in a transfer request back in 2019 – while on the same salary as he is now – in a bid to taste Champions League football at an elite side.
While the south Londoners are doing well under Patrick Vieira, they are lightyears away from qualifying for the tournament themselves, so the expectation is that Zaha leaves for a side involved in Europe’s greatest club competition.
So far this season, the Crystal Palace No.11 has scored five goals in 11 Premier League appearances.
Last term, Zaha netted 15 goals in all competitions – the best goalscoring campaign of his career.
Arsenal more likely than Liverpool
If it comes down to a two-horse race, we’d be shocked to see Liverpool sign Zaha ahead of Arsenal.
The Ivorian is a fan of the Gunners, and has already admitted that he loves playing at the Emirates Stadium.
As aforesaid, Zaha also wants Champions League football, something Arsenal look guaranteed to secure as they currently sit top of the Premier League, although Liverpool – languishing in ninth – look like they could fail to qualify.
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as the Daily Mail believe talks between Crystal Palace and Zaha will continue.
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