Wilf, it's time to come home!
It's early February. The January transfer window is closed. Clubs are now preparing themselves to perform as best as possible with just a few months of the season left. But the Arsenal transfer rumours ahead of this summer have already started and just won't go away.
One player that Arsenal should and could be looking at again this summer, is Wilfried Zaha. We all know that Arsenal made a £40m bid for Zaha last summer, which was quickly turned down by Palace who wanted at least £80m for their star man. Zaha was desperate to join Arsenal and even his brother, Judicael, tried to convince Palace to let Zaha leave with saying in the media that Wilf's dream is to play for Arsenal and that he wants to experience playing European football for Arsenal, the club he's supported since childhood. Despite this, Palace didn't allow Zaha to leave. Everton were trying to sign Zaha at the end of the window, but their bid was also rejected. No other club could pay the £80m fee that Palace were demanding and Zaha stayed at the club in the end.
Many people thought that the January transfer window should have been the window where Zaha finally leaves. Chelsea were heavily linked with Zaha before and even during the window, but nothing happened. Spurs were reportedly interested in him too but went for another winger instead, Steven Bergwijn. Arsenal couldn't make any permanent signings during January, so signing Zaha was never a possibility. No move for Zaha in this window either. Now he's staying at Palace until the end of the season. As soon as the summer window opens, Zaha will once again push to leave and this time around, I'm sure Palace will let him leave. Firstly, because Zaha wants to join a bigger club, play European football and take a step forward in his football career. But secondly, Palace need/want new players. They had a very quiet January transfer window and Palace will try to boost their squad with several incomings ahead of next season. And then they have to cash in on Zaha, a player they can get a lot money for and with that money, sign several players in different positions.
The tricky question though is, where will Zaha end up? Well, I think he wants to stay in England, in Premier League. I'm sure that's his preference. If possible, also stay in London where he lives. If we look at the big clubs in Premier League, there is only one team that has a great chance to sign Zaha in the summer and that's Arsenal.
I will explain why: Man City and Liverpool already have quality wingers. It's unlikely they would make a move for Zaha and it's unlikely that he would choose one of them because of the limited playing time he could get there. Then we have Man Utd. They could maybe make a move for him. But Zaha has already played there and it didn't go well. I don't think Man Utd will go back for him and I'm unsure if Zaha would consider a return to Old Trafford. Chelsea are a team that also could be looking at Zaha in the summer but I think they have other targets in that position, like Jadon Sancho for example, a player I think Chelsea are more interested in than Zaha. I would be very surprised if Spurs were trying to sign Wilf in the summer. Why? Because they bought Steven Bergwijn from PSV in January, who plays in a similar position as Zaha. With Son, Moura, Lamela and now Bergwijn all options on the wing for Spurs, I can't see them spending more money on a winger, and especially not Zaha. Will Everton come back for Zaha? Who knows, but would Zaha like to move there? I'm not so sure of that. With all due respect to Everton, I think he wants to join a bigger club with bigger history and a club that can challenge for big titles.
I personally think Zaha's most likely destination this summer, if he stays in Premier League, is Arsenal for a number of reasons. Firstly as I've already mentioned, he's an Arsenal fan since childhood and to play for Arsenal would be seen as a dream come true for Zaha. That gives Arsenal a clear advantage over other clubs if they would like to try and sign Zaha in the summer. Secondly, Arsenal need a new left winger in my opinion. A left winger with pace, skills and ability to create chances on his own. I also think Arsenal are aware of that. If Aubameyang or Lacazette leave in the summer, Arsenal desperately need a new attacker. And Zaha, in my opinion, would be the perfect man to replace one of them. Premier League proven, great dribbler, experienced etc.
If this deal is going to happen or not, I don't know. But if Arsenal really want to sign Wilfried Zaha this summer, I think they have a great chance to complete a deal which will see him stepping out at the Emirates next season in red and white.
Wilf, it's time to come home!