Crystal place forward and Ivorian international Wilfried Zaha was close to joining Arsenal under Unai Emery in 2018, but the Gunners failed to meet Crystal Palace’s £85 asking price for the forward.
There were also rumors linking Wilfried Zaha to Chelsea and Tottenham this summer. The former Manchester United star’s contract with Crystal Palace ends in June 2023, and he has been tipped for a big move to a top-six Premier League club.
Zaha has developed into a more complete winger now by adding goals and assists to his game. The 29-year-old has scored 5 goals and provided one assist in 9 Premier League games this season.
Arsenal Legend Paul Merson has cautioned Wilfried Zaha to carefully consider his future at Crystal Palace before seeking a move to any top Premier League side.
What did Paul Merson say?
The Arsenal Icon wrote in his Column on Daily Star, saying: “Wilfried Zaha plays every week at Crystal Palace.
“He can have a bad game and still start the following match and that might not happen at a Big Six club.
“I think he should seriously consider his options before running down his contract. He’s a legend at Palace and the manager loves him.
“I see someone like Arsenal coming in for him if they get into the Champions League but do you go there and risk becoming a bit-part player?
“You’re then going on a free. It’s not like you’re Darwin Nunez, who cost £85m and therefore has to play. Will he want to play for one week and then drop to the bench? I’m just not sure whether the grass is going to be greener for Zaha.
“He’s playing the best football of his career and there is a reason for that. He needs to sit down and have a big think about his future.”
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Viera reacted to speculations relating to the future of Wilfred Zaha at a press conference on Friday.
The former French international said: “There’s speculation on all good players who are at the end of their contract.
“I don’t have any doubt about him [Zaha] wanting to stay in our football club, but at the same time, we have to show him how ambitious we are. We will see what will happen, but we will do everything to keep him.”
Zaha will probably be in action on Saturday afternoon when Crystal Palace faces Everton at Goodison Park.
