CHELSEA are ready to make a big-money move for Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, according to reports.
Boss Frank Lampard is stepping up his chase to sign an attacking player in January after their transfer ban was overturned.
Chelsea are ready to make a move for Wilfried ZahaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Blues haven’t been able to replace Eden Hazard who left for Real Madrid in the summer.
But after being given the green light to spend around £150million in January, Lampard has drawn up a shortlist of targets.
According to the Guardian, Zaha is right at the top after being told he can leave the club if they receive an offer in the region of £80m.
The Ivorian was left furious with Palace in the summer after they blocked a departure to Everton but was given reassurances that they will let him go in January.
Zaha fits the bill for Lampard who believes he can make an immediate impact in his side.
He is eligible to play Champions League football while Pedro and Willian are both out of contract at the end of the season.
Chelsea could offer striker Olivier Giroud in the other direction to sweeten the deal.
Lampard is also after a centre-back and wants to bring Nathan Ake back to Stamford Bridge.
A £40million buyback clause means Lampard can sign Ake without having to conduct negotiations with the Cherries.
And it appears even boss Eddie Howe is powerless to keeping hold of him if the Dutchman wants to leave.
He said: “It would be obviously my wish to hold on to everybody. Some of these things are out of our control.
“We will wait and see. I don’t want to give you evasive answers but I am in no control of that at the moment.
“A lot of things with transfers [from] trying to bring players in, trying to keep the squad we have, is out of my hands.
“Obviously, we will be doing our best to be as strong as we can into the second half of the season.”
Neymar wanted by Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool as trio join transfer battle for wantaway PSG star
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
