Chief scout Steve Rowley and former assistant manager Pat Rice have watched Zaha in the recent weeks and have both given glowing reviews. Wenger has now confirmed his interest in the Palace man too.
There’s no confirmed move, but at least it looks like we are going to put our names in for such a precocious talent who has been dubbed Crystal Palace’s greatest ever talent by BBC pundit Mark Bright.
The Offer
It’s said that Arsenal are going to put a first bid of £9m for Zaha when the transfer window opens in January but it is obvious that Palace will not let their star go on the cheap, especially when there is a £20m price tag being floated around by other sources and with the likes of Man City, Man United and Liverpool, 2 of which have funds to trump Arsenal also being linked with the Palace man it is important to get in there quick.
The Future
It is clear to everyone that Zaha has talent. At the age of 20, he has racked up 112 appearances and 14 goals; this isn’t too bad for a young winger in a competitive league like the Championship.
If you merely type his name in to Youtube you can see the clear talent he has and raw talent that is up for grabs.
Getting Zaha plays into Wenger’s evident plan to build our side around the young British players like Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott (should he sign a new contract), Ramsey and Gibbs.
Should we keep all our young British talents it is without doubt we will be in a strong position in the league and bringing in world class from abroad to work with the youngsters as they develop will only strengthen us as a side.
Realistic?
Of course Zaha is a realistic signing for the club to make giving its success with developing talent and buying from the lower leagues, Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain are 2 examples. The likelihood of getting Zaha however is dependent on how much Arsenal wants him.
Personally I think if we are going to get Zaha over the likes of the 2 Manchester clubs, Liverpool and Real Madrid, whose boss has said to be interested, we have to go in with £12m and let the bidding war commence.
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