Everton are expected to strengthen the squad in the transfer market for a top-six push next season and are once again being linked with a move for Wilfried Zaha.
The 27-year-old has been tipped to leave Crystal Palace this summer as he wants a move to a big club chasing silverware, but it’s hard to see Everton luring him to Goodison Park as he’ll be an expensive acquisition.
The Daily Express say Zaha has an £80m asking price while Spotrac report that the Ivorian’s wages are approximately £6.77m-a-year/£130k-per-week at Selhurst Park. Everton would break their transfer record signing Zaha, surpassing the £45m spent on Gylfi Sigurdsson.
They would also break their salary structure, as Zaha would surpass Bernard (£6.24m-a-year/£120k-a-week) and Yerry Mina (£6.24m-a-year/£120k-a-week) as Everton’s highest-earner. That’s not to say the 27-year-old isn’t worth the financial outlay, however.
Since returning to Palace permanently in 2015, Zaha has gone on to make 147 appearances in all competitions, contributing 60 goals. He’s had a hand in 10 or more league goals in the last three seasons and was on course to hit double figures this campaign before the Covid-19 pandemic halted proceedings.
As per WhoScored, Zaha has amassed 2545 minutes of Premier League football, created 28 chances, completed 80.6% of his 878 passes, won 32% of his aerial duels, made 136 successful dribbles (62%), had 44 shots with 25% accuracy and averaged a tackle (39) or interception (15) every 47 minutes.
Carlo Ancelotti already has Richarlison, Bernard, Alex Iwobi and Theo Walcott at his disposal, but Zaha would certainly improve the squad next season. It’s hard to see Everton spending so much money on his signature, however, so fans shouldn’t get excited at this rumour rearing its head again.