Arsenal’s reported deal for Nicolas Pepe significantly de-muddies the water for Everton to get Wilfried Zaha.
Everton always needed a few things to go their way if they were going to sign Wilfried Zaha.
Firstly, they need Arsenal to be completely out of the picture because, according to The Daily Mail, the Crystal Palace winger has specifically asked the Eagles to sanction a move to the Gunners, his boyhood club.
But the North Londoners have agreed a £72 million deal for Nicolas Pepe [BBC Sport] and this might open the door for Everton to get Zaha.
If Arsenal are out of the equation, it makes things significantly less complicated for the Toffees, who suddenly don’t have to challenge Zaha’s first love for his signature.
The Telegraph reported earlier this week that the Goodison Park club have already opened talks with Palace about the Ivorian winger, which means things are already more advanced than first assumed.
And with Unai Emery’s side no longer a factor, there is much lower chance of a hijack – well, from Arsenal anyway.
Chelsea are now rumoured to be interested, and they definitely do pose a threat to Everton, but if there’s already a dialogue between the Merseysiders and Crystal Palace then the West Londoners have some catching up to do.
If the 26-year-old winds up in Marco Silva’s side, it’d be for £60 million [The Telegraph] and would make him the club’s most expensive transfer of all time.
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