Everton linked with Zaha bid
Well maybe we’re getting into a kind of transfer window silly season but there are paper claims today that Everton have entered the race to sign Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha.
Zaha has been heavily linked with a move across London to the Emirates Stadium. But now according to reports in the Evening Standard, it could be that Everton are ready to challenge Arsenal for his signature.
The Ivory Coast international forward has seemingly made it clear he wants to leave Palace and sees his future away from Selhurst Park.
Arsenal were immediately reckoned to be the frontrunners for him and it appeared that it was a deal in the making. However recently this potential move seems to have stalled and now the Blues are apparently expressing an interest in the 24-year-old.
I would normally be tempted to dismiss this out of hand as just the typical sort of rumour started by a player’s agent to bump up his signing-on fee. However there are several reasons why it might not be totally ridiculous.
Firstly the Standard as a London paper, often has a good inside track on what is happening inside the capital’s clubs. If they are confidently asserting the Toffees are interested then it possible there is something in it.
Secondly there is a feeling that Everton perhaps need to make a big money signing to show how serious the Blues are to compete for top talent and getting Zaha would certainly be that I think. The fee being quoted is around £80 million, which would obviously be a club record and then some!
Third, the club are making considerable progress freeing up resources by shipping out a number of players no longer required.
Recently Everton have sold Nikola Vlasic and it also looks as though Ademola Lookman is on his way as his move back to RB Leipzig inches closer.
The combined fees generated from these two sales is likely to be close to £50 million. Then there are the recurrent rumours that Idrissa Gueye still wants his move to PSG. Assuming he goes and the Blues get around £25-30 million for him, that would pretty much be enough for the Zaha fee.
Fourthly reports on Sky Sports today claim that Palace themselves have enquired about the availability of James McCarthy.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder has suffered from a succession of injuries and has become largely surplus to requirements at Goodison Park. But the Blues might be able to get another £10 million or so for him.
And finally Everton have been searching, so far in vain, to find either a suitable centre-forward or an another right-sided attacking player. Zaha could actually perform in both roles.
He is certainly a highly talented and explosive player who can single-handed win a game with his pace, power, trickery and finishing.
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His signing would be the kind of marquee addition that many Evertonians would probably welcome as an indication of how serious the Toffees are about competing for the top places and honours in the game.
However despite all this I still think it’s extremely unlikely Zaha will be pulling on a royal blue shirt come the start of the new Premier League season.
Not only is the fee prohibitive to say the least in a new era of frugal transfer spending at Everton, but it’s also almost certain Zaha would prefer Arsenal and want to stay in London if he left Palace.