Everton are willing to include outcast striker Cenk Tosun in any deal for Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha, according to The Telegraph.
Blues chiefs were believed to have placed a £70million valuation on the in-demand Ivorian, who is now being courted by Chelsea as well as the Pensioners’ London rivals Arsenal.
However, Marcel Brands is looking for ways to avoid paying a lump sum in that region, and is open to the idea of losing Turkey international Tosun along with £60million if it means Zaha will join Marco Silva’s ranks this summer.
Palace are still keen to hold out for their £80million minimum asking price, but have a long-standing interest in Tosun, and it is alleged that the Toffees will pry on this factor to show how prepared the board are to secure Zaha.
But the recent interest shown by Chelsea has sparked fear on Merseyside that the Blues will come up short in our efforts. The Stamford Bridge outfit’s two-window transfer ban could see Frank Lampard’s side agree a deal for Zaha to remain at Selhurst Park for the 2019/20 season, along with whatever fee they are open to paying for the 26-year-old.
Arsenal’s position is starting to waver, as the Gunners are struggling to raise the funds needed to meet Palace’s asking price after their £40million approach was rejected.
Chelsea, while yet to make an official advance, are cash-happy this summer, following Eden Hazard’s transfer to Real Madrid for £130million and Alvaro Morata joining Atletico Madrid on a permanent deal said to be worth £58million. The Stamford Bridge side could also part ways with Tiemoue Bakayoko, as they are considering whether the Frenchman has a future in South West London following his disastrous debut season at the club before joining AC Milan on loan.
Clearly, Everton’s interest in striking a deal with the Eagles for Zaha is strong going by recent reports, but the inclusion of Tosun would leave Silva weak on out-and-out centre-forwards next term.
The £20million-valued Turkey attacker has so far failed to attract any potential suitors willing to meet Everton’s asking price, despite speculation of FC Schalke 04 preparing an offer.
Should he leave, the often-debated Dominic Calvert-Lewin would be promoted to the undisputed status of our leading striker, with Oumar Niasse potentially providing depth. Richarlison, as shown in the early stages of 2018/19, can also play as the designated number nine, but the Brazilian failed to maintain his efforts as the term progressed and later returned to the wings.
Maybe, then, Everton pushing for Zaha is just the latest step in what could be a stunning window as the board look to follow the Ivorian’s potential club-record move with the addition of the often-linked Juventus ace Moise Kean.
An attack boasting Zaha, Kean, and Richarlison would be enough to frighten even the best defences in the Premier League.