Willian’s move to Arsenal leaves Everton in pole position to sign 27 year old attacker

Everton are now favourites to sign Wilfried Zaha after Willian has nearly signed for Arsenal from Chelsea.

Everton and Arsenal have been long term admirers of Wilfried Zaha. The two teams have battled on and off the field to lure the Crystal Palace forward. With Arsenal very close to announcing the free transfer of Willian from Chelsea, it now seems that Arsenal have finally yielded and pulled out of the race to sign Zaha.

Last summer Everton and Arsenal went toe to toe to sign the charismatic Ivory Coast international. The asking price of over £80 million deterred both the teams with Arsenal instead splashed the cash on Nicolas Pepe and the Toffees signed Alex Iwobi from the Gunners.

The failures of Alex Iwobi are all together a different thing and a point to discuss in another article. The spotlight now is on Wilfried Zaha. Earlier, Roy Hodgson admitted that the Ivorian will be allowed to leave if a significant offer came in as Zaha has already expressed it to the former Three Lions manager that he has ambitions to play in a team with European ambitions.

A few days ago, news outlets across England said that Crystal Palace will accept an offer of £30 million and the name of Arsenal and Everton was associated again. The Toffees have maintained a fair amount of interest in the 27 year old and now they may have been handed a golden opportunity to wrap up the signing.

Chelsea winger Willian has rejected a new deal from the Blues and will leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season. Free to negotiate with any team, the Brazilian was said to be in contact with Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. The Gunners have edged out and are just one step away from making the signing official.

More from Prince Rupert's Tower

• Everton 0 Arsenal 1: Blues fall to third home defeat
• Further chaos in Everton takeover as other lenders not keen on 777 Partners
• Everton need repeat of Arsenal win to kick-start their season on Sunday
• More madness at Everton as Moshiri now agrees to sell club to 777 Partners
• Everton takeover talk cools after UK govt doubts and further questions

Willian will join the FA Cup winners on a three year deal. With the winger’s arrival, the Mirror reports that the North London club is no longer interested in signing Wilfried Zaha. This leaves Everton as clear favourites to sign the Ivorian. A Selhurst Park exit is imminent for Zaha as the Eagles hierarchy has aggressively begun their search for a replacement, approaching free agent Ryan Fraser.

Marcel Brands likes the right winger’s profile and may launch an offensive bid to lure Zaha. The Royal Blues won’t mind paying a fee of £30 million for a player who can play on different positions in attack. The 27 year old has predominantly played as a right winger but has also adapted well to left wing and also as a second striker.

Would you like to see Wilfried Zaha at Goodison Park?