
Arsenal
Premier League • England
Arteta driving Arsenal pursuit after learning Prem rivals ‘could choose to sell’ Liverpool target in January

Arsenal and Liverpool remain in the hunt for Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha after a new transfer stance emerged, according to a report.
Zaha is into the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park. He has long been linked with a move to a bigger club, even though his previous attempt with Manchester United did not work out.
His second spell as a Crystal Palace player has reminded of his importance. As such, it could be time in 2023 to take another leap towards Champions League level.
There have been plenty of indications recently that Zaha will be considering his future. Arsenal are long-term admirers who, on current form, could get back into the Champions League.
Zaha has also been linked with Liverpool, while there will be several suitors abroad. Those foreign parties would be able to steal a march on the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal by tying Zaha down to a pre-contract agreement from January in view of the summer.
However, according to 90min, there is now a possibility that Crystal Palace “could choose to sell” the Ivory Coast international when the transfer window opens in January.
Having not updated their plans of a contract offer for a couple of years, Crystal Palace might be becoming increasingly aware of their fate. Hence, January could be their last chance to cash in.
The report denies they would do so if they feared being in a relegation battle. But if they are comfortable enough, Zaha might be able to make his move six months early.
Three Premier League suitors remain
The update will have all of his admirers on alert. According to 90min, Arsenal are one of them because Mikel Arteta is a big admirer of the man who will turn 30 in November.
Liverpool are also said to be aware of the situation. What’s more, Chelsea have not lost sight of him. Further afield, he has become of interest to Paris Saint-Germain, Inter and AC Milan.
It is not yet clear how much Crystal Palace might ask for in January if they do decide to accept a small windfall for Zaha.
There will have been times gone by when his market value will have been higher. Now, his age and contract status do not work in Crystal Palace’s favour.
An opportunity could be there earlier than the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea think. It could be over to them to test Crystal Palace’s resolve for a player who has scored 88 goals and provided 74 assists from 440 appearances for his current employers.
Would January farewell suit Wilfried Zaha and Crystal Palace?
There could then be a decision for Zaha to make. Should he just wait and see what options are available to him in the summer, when it will be under his control?
Or could he be attracted by the immediate chance to test himself at a higher level again? At his age, time is ticking if he wants to enjoy his best years at the top.
It will all come down to who bids and how big a role he would play for them. But if, for example, Arsenal come calling, it seems like the kind of setup a player of his pedigree would want to be involved with now.
They are not in the Champions League yet, but their players are all enjoying their football, so it seems, and have big ambitions. Zaha might bring some extra experience and flair to the side if he made the move across London.
But perhaps the best option for his reputation would be to stay with Crystal Palace up to the end of the season. Then, he could have a proper farewell after the exemplary service he has given them.
And they wouldn’t be taking any unnecessary risks mid-season. Hence, it could remain a waiting game to determine his future. Only time will tell.