Arsenal: Arteta ‘an admirer’ of Prem star in ‘contract standoff’; Tielemans ‘should move’ to Gunners
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is reportedly ‘an admirer’ of Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha but Liverpool are also tracking the forward’s situation.
It is somewhat surprising that Zaha is still a Crystal Palace player, but this could soon change.
The former Man Utd star has been a standout performer for the Eagles over the past few seasons.
His performances have arguably hit new levels since Patrick Vieira took over before the 2021/22 campaign. He scored 14 Premier League goals last term.
Zaha already has five goals and one assist in ten outings this season but reports of him leaving next year are intensifying.
The Ivory Coast international is out of contract next summer and he is yet to commit his future to the club.
Arsenal and Chelsea were linked with him in August with a potential £30m transfer mentioned.
But interest in Zaha is understood to be growing as clubs realise they could get a proven Premier League operator for nothing next year.
Crystal Palace are said to be calm about Zaha’s situation but a move to a team competing in the Champions League would be tough for him to turn down.
90min are reporting that the forward is ‘assessing his future options’ and he is yet to make a final decision.
Palace ‘would ideally like Zaha to stay’ but they would likely have to put more money on the table as ‘the contract offer has been largely unchanged since first proposed two years ago’.
The player’s ‘dream’ is to play in the Champions League so next summer may be the ideal time for him to make that step.
Arsenal are in the running as they are being ‘kept informed of Zaha’s situation’. It is also acknowledged that Arteta is ‘an admirer’ of the Premier League star.
They are not alone though as Liverpool ‘are also aware of his contract standoff’ and they ‘could make a move further down the line’.
AC Milan, Inter Milan and PSG are also mentioned as clubs who are keeping a ‘watchful eye’ on Zaha’s form.
Palace could look to sell him in January but they are unlikely to do so if they are under any risk of suffering relegation.
Another freebie Arsenal are believed to be considering is Youri Tielemans. The Leicester City star was linked with a £30m move away from the Foxes in the summer but this did not come to fruition.
The Belgium international is also out of contract in June and he is expected to leave Leicester when his deal expires.
Juve Dipendenz are of the belief that Arsenal are leading the race to sign Tielemans.
He ‘should move’ to the Gunners as a switch to Juventus has been ruled out amid their ongoing struggles in Serie A and in Europe.
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