Wilfried Zaha responds to transfer speculation amid Arsenal and Chelsea link

Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Brentford FC at Selhurst Park on August 30, 2022 in London, United Kingdom.


Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha has revealed that his focus is solely on Crystal Palace amid speculation that Arsenal and Chelsea are preparing bids for him ahead of transfer deadline day.

Zaha has been in impressive form during the opening stages of the season – scoring four goals in as many games in the Premier League for the Eagles. The 29-year-old netted a career-high of 14 goals in the English top-flight as Palace finished 12th in Patrick Vieira’s first season at the helm last term.

The Ivory Coast international scored the opening goal against London rivals Brentford just before the hour-mark on Tuesday, before Yoanne Wissa struck late to rescue a point for the Bees at Selhurst Park.

Despite the interest from two of Palace’s London rivals, Zaha insists that he remains focused on his future at Selhurt Park.

“It’s not been difficult at all [to remain focused],” Zaha said. “I’ve just been focused on Palace and every game. So it’s not been difficult at all.

Wilfried Zaha’s gesture shows where transfer priorities may lie amid Crystal Palace dilemma

“I go into training, I get on with it and I enjoy it. So I’ve been focused. It’s massive, we’ve got a massive understanding everyone literally understands me. It’s different, it’s hard to explain but it feels like a family here. That’s the understanding we have.”

One of Vieira’s former clubs, Arsenal, have reportedly renewed their interest in Zaha, after Unai Emery had courted the former Manchester United star in the summer of 2019.

Arsenal’s board opted to buy Zaha’s Ivorian compatriot Nicolas Pepe from LOSC Lille for £72m instead, but the Gunners are on the market for another winger following Pepe’s loan move to OGC Nice.

Arsenal have also been linked with Wolves winger Pedro Neto although a deal for the Portuguese international looks increasingly unlikely. Therefore, Zaha has been identified as an alternative option for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Chelsea are another side looking to bolster their options in the final third. The Blues may have added Raheem Sterling from Manchester City this summer but a lack of cutting edge in the final third has been a worrying theme for Thomas Tuchel’s charges.

They suffered their second defeat of the season at Southampton on Tuesday. Hakim Ziyech failed to stake a claim in his first full 90 minutes of the campaign, while Christian Pulisic was similarly ineffective from the bench.

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