Wilfried Zaha: Fabrizio Romano rates Arsenal chances as Ronaldo link-up is rejected and CL giants slug it out

James Marshment 15 Apr 2023 1:21 PM

Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace in Premier League action against Brentford

Wilfried Zaha is a step closer to deciding his next club, with two strongly-established Champions League clubs seemingly ahead of Arsenal in the race to sign the Crystal Palace forward.

The Eagles star is out of contract this summer and will be one of the more notable free agents in the Premier League this summer. Palace are desperate to keep their star turn and have reportedly offered him a deal to make him the best paid player in their history.

And while that remains on the table, Zaha has been considering options elsewhere.

Indeed, after nine seasons at Selhurst Park, it seems the 30-year-old is keen to test himself at a higher level. And the winger, who is the club’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer with 67 strikes, is eager to play Champions League football.

To that end, several big names are reportedly considering moves for the former Manchester United man.

Among his long-time suitors, though, are Arsenal. They came close to signing Zaha back in 2019, before ultimately plumping for Nicolas Pepe.

Now approaching free agent status, the Gunners are again reportedly considering an approach for the winger.

However, Fabrizio Romano insists Arsenal are yet to make any approach for Zaha. And amid rival interest from Bayern Munich, the journalist has also moved to play down talk of a move to Bavaria.

“I’m told Wilfried Zaha has not made a final decision on the future yet,” he told Caught Offside.

“Crystal Palace are offering him a very important contract; he will decide in the next weeks. I’m not aware of a concrete proposal or talks with Arsenal yet. Bayern have different priorities now.”

Zaha rejects chance to link up with Ronaldo as two suitors lurk

Despite Arsenal being yet to make a move, it seems Zaha does have a number of irons in the fire.

However, he has reportedly already turned his back on one such transfer with a move to Saudi Arabia quickly batted away.

Indeed, per the Evening Standard, the forward has turned his back on approach from Al-Nassr.

The move to Riyad would have been a hugely-lucrative one and afforded Zaha the chance to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the player is desperate to test himself in the Champions League before he retires and has snubbed their advances.

As a result, the paper claims two clubs are likely left to slug it out for Zaha’s services.

And both clubs can likely fulfil the player’s wish to play in the UCL next season.

First up, AC Milan are reportedly pushing to bring Zaha to Italy. The reigning Serie A champions are currently fourth in the table and locked in a three-way scrap for a Champions League place.

Indeed, they are just a point behind Roma, while the Rossoneri hold a single-point advantage on city rivals Inter.

However, according to the Evening Standard, the race for Zaha’s services is currently being led by Borussia Dortmund.

The Bundesliga giants are reportedly putting together a package they hope will tempt the player to Germany this summer.

And if Romano is accurate, a decision on his future will be made in the coming weeks.

The player, meanwhile, will miss Palace’s match at Southampton on Saturday as he continues to nurse a groin injury.

Wilfried Zaha