Former England international and Arsenal fan Darren Bent admits he would like to see Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha join Mikel Arteta’s side on a free transfer this summer, speaking to talkSPORT (7 March, 4.30pm).
We will never know how differently Unai Emery’s final few months in North London would have gone had he landed his number one target during the summer of 2019. Arsenal missed out on Zaha before landing Nicolas Pepe for a staggering £72 million instead.
While Pepe would quickly tumble down the pecking order at the Emirates, Zaha would take his game to a whole new level across the city at Selhurst Park; 32 goals in the last two-and-a-half seasons proof of just how much Zaha has improved with regards to his end product.
But at the age of 30 – and even with his contract running down – has Zaha missed the boat?
The Ivory Coast international is a boyhood Arsenal supporter and remains desperate to prove himself at Champions League level. This, then, feels like last-chance saloon. Now or never.
Could Arsenal sign Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha?
“We are talking about someone who has shown incredible loyalty to Crystal Palace. He is in the mix (for their greatest player ever),” says Bent.
“It didn’t quite go to plan at Manchester United. I think it came a little bit too early for him. (But now) he is ready. He has been their top scorer for a number of years now.
“It feels like its Zaha or nothing for Palace, and I don’t think that’s the healthy position for either of them to be in. They’ve got (Ebere) Eze and (Michael) Olise who are ready to step up.
“One v one, he can go past anyone. He needs that step up now. He needs Champions League football. Now, with him being a free-agent, I think its his time.”
When pressed furhter on whether Bent would take Zaha at his beloved Arsenal, the former Aston Villa striker responded with a tentative ‘yes’. Zaha might not be a starter at the Gunners these days but he could still be a more than valuable addition to a squad lacking quality cover.
“I would have him in the squad, yeah.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
