ARSENAL have reignited their interest in Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, according to reports.
The Gunners were linked with a £40million transfer in 2019 before bringing in his Ivory Coast team-mate Nicolas Pepe instead.
But according to 90min.com, the North Londoners are plotting a fresh bid.
However, in order to finance a swoop, Arsenal would need to sell – and the report adds Alexandre Lacazette could be axed to raise funds.
The French striker, 29, arrived at the Emirates in 2017 for £52m but is on the radar of Inter Milan, Roma, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract.
Zaha, 28, is tied down at Selhurst Park until 2023 and his market value stands at £40.5m, according to Transfermarkt.
The £130,000-a-week winger has nine goals this term – already more than double his tally from a disappointing 2019-20 campaign despite missing five matches with a thigh strain.
But he has dropped plenty of hints he is ready to move on this summer.
After confirming his desire to play Champions League football, ‘ambitious’ Zaha added in February he wants to win silverware.
Zaha told the FT Business of Football Summit: “I have always wanted to play at the top level and win trophies and have the opportunity to show the medals to my kids and say ‘daddy’s won this and that’.
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“So I will always give my 100 per cent to the club but I’m ambitious and if there are opportunities I will have a look at them.”
He helped Palace win the Championship play-offs in 2013 and then lifted the Community Shield with Manchester United later that summer.
Despite Arsenal’s renewed hope in signing boyhood-fan Zaha, there is understood to be little competition for the 20-cap Ivorian.
Chelsea and Tottenham are not keen at this stage.
Clubs in France and Italy are monitoring his situation but Zaha would prefer to stay in London.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
