Arsenal are among the clubs reportedly interested in raiding Crystal Palace to sign Wilfried Zaha on a free transfer, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season – but surely, North London rivals Tottenham are a better fit.
Zaha, 29, has gone up a level since Patrick Vieira joined the club as manager. Last season, the Ivory Coast star scored 15 goals and this season, he has five in 11 Premier League matches. But he is yet to sign a new contract.
The Evening Standard claim that Zaha has been offered a verbal pay rise on his £130,000-a-week deal. But Zaha is yet to agree to a new deal, perhaps suggesting he is considering a move away. Arsenal are said to be interested.
But will Arsenal throw away their transfer blueprint to bring in a player that will turn 30 next week? Yes, he will cost nothing in terms of transfer fee. But surely, Tottenham would be better-suited to Zaha – and they need him more?
Arsenal interested in Zaha but Tottenham are a better fit
Firstly, Edu has instilled an ethos that sees Arsenal only sign players between 20 and 25, but that are experienced. They are willing to spend a bit more cash, to sign the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Fabio Vieira, Ben White and more.
Zaha will be 30 in the next few days and that will surely put Edu and Arsenal off. They are well-stocked out wide, even with Emile Smith-Rowe injured. Marquinhos is impressing, while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are shining.
Even on Sunday, Reiss Nelson reminded fans what he could do with two goals and an assist in a 5-0 win over Forest. Nicolas Pepe is impressing out on loan. So, Arsenal have plenty of options out wide. Spurs need a player like Zaha.
Fabio Paratici and Spurs are more willing to bring in older players – Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster and other examples. Injuries to Richarlison and Deki Kulusevski have highlighted the need for another addition in the final third, like Zaha.
So, while Arsenal are interested in the Crystal Palace star Zaha, Tottenham desperately need him more. In terms of the kind of players clubs go for, Tottenham is also much more likely to land a player like Zaha – over Arsenal.
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