After reports that Theo Walcott is set to sign a new contract at Arsenal at long last, it seems that Arsenal will now end their interest, at least for now, in Crystal Palace prospect Wilfried Zaha.
The Ivorian-born winger seemed a certainty to join Arsenal and has already agreed personal terms.
Unfair deal
This shows that Zaha was likely a replacement for Walcott, unless the interest is resurrected in the summer.
Despite Zaha agreeing personal terms with the club he supports, Palace want him to stay for their promotion push, and have demanded any signing of him be accompanied with a loan back until the end of the season, like Chelsea did with Kevin de Bruyne.
Furthermore, they want the buying club to loan them three players to help with their promotion push in the second half of the season. It all seems a bit steep for an unproven youngster, admittedly one with great potential.
A club more likely to take this deal is Manchester United, though Zaha would prefer a move to Arsenal. When asked about moving to the Premier League, the 20-year-old said this:
"I'm not a teenager anymore, I've played more than 100 first-team games and this year is crucial to develop my football career. I want to establish myself in the Premier League and in international football.
I've played a lot in the Championship so having that new challenge in the Premier League, where everyone wants to be, would be great.
To be honest, if I had the chance in January and Palace agreed, it's something I'd want to go for."
He may want to move, but Palace want 15m for him. They're more likely to get 10, and not for a while.
Best to leave Zaha for a while and concentrate on players who can make an immediate impact.
Loyalty
The only advantage to buying Zaha now is that he would be a Carl Jenkinson type, a fan playing for the team he loves, and what's more, it would add to the British core at the club.
It could be the sixth England international at Arsenal, which is far removed from the all-foreign 2006 side that Alan Pardew hates so much.
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