Arsenal keeping tabs on Premier League sensation who could join on a free transfer
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Arsenal are the latest club to be linked with a move for Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha this summer, according to reports.
Zaha has been at Selhurst Park for seven years in what is his second spell at the club, having originally come through the club's academy.
The Ivory Coast international rose to prominence in the Championship, before sealing a move to Manchester United in 2013.
Although he was never able to show his true potential at Old Trafford, Zaha made the move back to Palace two years later, and has since become one of the best and most consistent forward players in the Premier League.
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The 29-year-old has been linked with a move away on several occasions over the years. In 2019, he submitted a transfer request after the Eagles rejected a £70 million bid, plus players in exchange, from Everton for his services.
Zaha has played some of his best football under the management of Patrick Vieira. The Frenchman took over from Roy Hodgson in the summer of 2021.
But the Ivory Coast star's contract expires this summer. And speaking on The Five Podcast, The Athletic's David Ornstein claimed: "There will be a number of clubs who will look at him and wonder if they can get him for nothing in the summer of 2023.
"There will be conversations, I'm sure. Many in the game feel he will hold out and go as a free agent, and play in the Champions League."
The likes of Liverpool have already been linked with Zaha - and now another Premier League club has entered the picture.
Arsenal keen on signing Wilfried Zaha
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal have emerged as a potential suitor for Wilfried Zaha this summer.
Given that Zaha already plays in London, signing for the Gunners would mean no requirement to relocate for the 29-year-old - unlike a move to Liverpool.
Arsenal have strong options in wide areas, with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe amongst their young talents. Marquinhos is also an up-and-coming talent.
However, the latter Brazilian is not yet the finished article - and injuries to Saka or Martinelli could have a big impact on the Gunners.
They currently lead the Premier League by two points, with 28 points from 11 games.
On Arsenal's potential interest, Ornstein explained: "Of course, he went to Manchester United, and it didn't work out. But since then, we've seen Arsenal linked with him, we've seen Tottenham at various points, and we've seen Chelsea last summer. That move hasn't happened.
"Palace value him so highly as they know, without him, there's a good chance they would be in a relegation scrap. So they have always set a very high asking price."
Whether Zaha does move on this summer - or commits to Palace - remains to be seen.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace, Patrick Vieira, Premier League
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