According to Sky Sports News, Everton have ‘made a bid’ of £55m for Wilfried Zaha. This flies in the face of past reports that claimed the Toffees were lining up a £60m bid + Cenk Tosun. Vital Everton pondered a deal containing Tosun, James McCarthy and Yannick Bolasie, but the Blues’ opening offer doesn’t feature any players.
With Arsenal closing in on Nicolas Pepe, Everton now lead the race for Zaha. The 26-year-old had originally wanted to join a top-four Premier League club who are in the Champions League next season, but he may now have to consider joining the ‘best of the rest’ instead. After contributing 20 goals in 34 Premier League games in 2018/19, Zaha is one of the best forwards in England.
Palace have requested £80m for the Ivorian’s signature as a result, but Everton are testing the waters by lowballing the Eagles. Zaha has told his club that he wants to leave this summer, so the Toffees will be hoping he can put pressure on the Londoners to sell before the transfer window shuts. That being said, Palace are in a strong negotiating position.
Zaha has four more years on his contract, so the Eagles aren’t obligated to sell him for anything less than his asking price. It’s unlikely Everton will be successful with their opening bid.