Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha has emerged as a transfer target for Everton, according to reports.
Zaha has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer but talks seem to have stalled after the Eagles slapped a price tag of £80million on his collar.
Everton have now entered the race to make him sign on the dotted line, it has been claimed by the Standard, as they are keen to invest in a wide forward.
Marco Silva’s troops finished eighth in the Premier League standings last season and must be aiming to secure a European spot in the upcoming campaign.
Silva has overseen some shrewd business this summer, having acquired the signatures of Andre Gomes, Jonas Lossl and Fabian Delph. However, he is keen on a few more additions in the ongoing transfer window.
The Toffees are set to get around £22.5million from the sale of Ademola Lookman to Red Bull Leipzig and are apparently keen to use the same in their bid to lure Zaha to the Goodison Park.
Everton’s majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri has shown in the past that he is not afraid to break the bank and it is to be seen whether he can get a deal ready for Zaha.
The Ivory Coast international currently pockets £130,000-a-week in wages at Crystal Palace and has four years left on his contract at the Selhurst Park.
Will he enhance Everton’s attacking arsenal?
While Bernard and Theo Walcott flattered to deceive with their productivity last season, Lookman is likely to be sold this summer. In such a scenario, Zaha will be a handy addition for Everton.
The 26-year-old is thoroughly acclimatized to the English top-flight and is well-equipped in terms of knowledge. He scored 10 goals and bagged 5 assists in 34 league games, which is why his stocks are rated so highly.
He can ply his trade across the frontline and his versatility would be beneficial for Everton who are in search of a long-term striker solution too. His dribbling was always his strong point but the fact that he has worked upon and improved a lot on the finishing front means his demand has skyrocketed in England.
Zaha is more lethal and unpredictable than the crop of wingers Silva has at his disposal and can form a deadly partnership with Richarlison in the final third.
Marco Silva has shown he is an advocate of playing football on the front foot and with the players around him, Zaha can blossom into a superstar at the Goodison Park.
But considering the work already put in by the Gunners regarding this deal, if they can cough up the cash, the London club seem to be the favourites to land him as of now.
