“Well worth it” – Arsenal urged to meet Palace’s Wilfried Zaha transfer valuation
Sam Allardyce has urged Arsenal to “pay the money” and meet Crystal Palace’s valuation for Wilfried Zaha.
The former Eagles manager claims Zaha is “well worth” the £80m fee Palace are reportedly demanding from Arsenal.
Will Arsenal get Zaha over the line? Five key things to know…
- Zaha has told Palace he wants to leave and play for a top Premier League club next season.
- Arsenal reportedly made an initial bid of £40m which was quickly rebuffed by Palace.
- The Gunners are expected to make an increased off, and Palace apparently want £80m.
- Everton have also been credited with an interest in Zaha.
- The transfer window closes on August 8th and Arsenal are yet to agree a fee with Palace.
The Gunners completed the loan signing of Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos on Thursday as well as agreeing a deal for French teenager William Saliba, who has returned to Saint-Etienne on loan.
It is believed that Arsenal are also locked in negotiations over Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney while they are expected to make an increased offer for Zaha after their initial bid was rejected.
And Allardyce, who managed Zaha at Palace in the 2016/17, has called on Arsenal to get a deal done.
“Pay the money. Time’s running out and the window is going to shut,” Allardyce told talkSPORT.
“If Manchester United are having to pay £90m for a centre-half, which is what they’ve been quoted for [Harry] Maguire, then this £70/80m price tag being put on Zaha is well worth it in light of the market we’re operating in today.
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“Wilfried is proven at this level and he’d be a massive success at Arsenal. He’s ready, but Arsenal need to stop messing around like they are at the minute.
“Wilfried is in his prime – there’s not too many players like him about.
“[Palace chairman] Steve [Parish] won’t like me saying this, because I’ve got a lot of respect for the man and for what he’s done for Crystal Palace, but if Wilf doesn’t leave very shortly then he never will.
“He’s ready now to move on now, so Arsenal just need to get the deal done.”
Palace play Everton at Selhurst Park on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season, while Arsenal travel to Newcastle United.
