Arsenal are said to be interested in signing Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace when his contract expires in July.
That was according to 90min, who believe Mikel Arteta is a huge admirer of the Ivory Coast international.
Now, an interesting rumour is coming from Crystal Palace, which could suggest the south Londoners are already planning for life without Zaha.
Crystal Palace may be resigned to losing Arsenal target
Well, the Daily Mail believe Crystal Palace have made contact with Flamengo over a deal to sign Matheus Franca – who is also wanted by Real Madrid and Manchester City.
It is said that the Eagles are willing to offer £15m plus a sell-on percentage for the 18-year-old sensation, who – like Zaha – can operate on the flanks, or in the centre of the attack.
The rumour comes just days after a separate report from the Daily Mail claimed that Crystal Palace fear their chances of keeping the 30-year-old are fading, as he is yet to respond to a verbal offer of a new contract.
Therefore, it certainly isn’t outrageous to suggest Franca is being targeted as a replacement for the Ivorian, who the Evening Standard believe is also attracting interest from Barcelona and Juventus as he approaches free agency.
Arsenal must finally sign Zaha
The Gunners made a huge error when abandoning their pursuit of Zaha back in 2019, and they must now make amends by securing him on a free while he is at the peak of his powers.
According to Sky Sports, Arsenal bid £40m for the Crystal Palace No.11 when Unai Emery was in charge, although after seeing that offer rejected, they surprisingly went out and spent £72m on Nicolas Pepe, rather than increase their bid for Zaha.
Pepe is now on loan at OGC Nice and seems to have no future under Mikel Arteta, so that woeful transfer mistake can finally be put right with a free transfer swoop for Zaha, which would be a total bargain for the north Londoners.
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