Arsenal could finally secure a transfer for Wilfried Zaha next summer and would not have to pay a penny. The Gunners have previously been linked with a move for the Crystal Palace forward and were heavily tipped to complete a deal in 2019.
The winger nearly joined Arsenal, but the move never materialised, with Zaha revealing earlier this year that the Gunners opted to sign Nicolas Pepe over him. Arsenal offered around £40million for the Ivorian, but Crystal Palace were holding out for closer to £80million.
Chelsea also considered making a move for Zaha towards the end of this summer transfer window, but no bid was made, and Zaha stayed at Selhurst Park. His contract comes to an end next summer, and Palace have reportedly offered him a new deal to extend his stay at the club, but if he chooses to turn that down, the Gunners may get their chance to pounce.
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Speaking about the failed move to the Emirates Stadium in 2019, Zaha told Jamie Carragher's podcast: "I had a conversation with the manager actually. [Unai] Emery was just like, 'we don't really need to go through much'.
"He said he'd seen me play, he knows I can change games at any time and stuff like that. He was like, 'Yeah we'd love to have you' and I was just like, 'Yeah, I'd love to come'. Obviously, it was up to the club who they chose, and they chose Pepe over me."
The Ivory Coast international has started the season is fine form for Palace, scoring four goals in five league appearances. Last term, Zaha had his most prolific season in England's top flight, bagging 14 goals.
The problem Arsenal may have is that if he does not accept a new deal at Palace, Zaha will be free to speak to clubs outside of the UK from January about moving on a free transfer. He could agree terms on a move abroad before he is allowed to speak to Arsenal - or Chelsea - about a move next summer.
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