According to Sky Sports News, Everton ‘have made a second bid’ for Wilfried Zaha. Arsenal are poised to sign Nicolas Pepe from LOSC Lille, so the Toffees are now leading the race for Crystal Palace’s £130k-per-week wide-man. They haven’t come close to meeting his £80m asking price, however.
Everton’s latest offer for Zaha is reportedly for £55m + James McCarthy & Cenk Tosun – two players Palace have been linked with in the last two transfer windows. The 26-year-old has made it clear that he wants out of Selhurst Park to join a side in the Champions League, so it’s unknown if he’s that keen to make the switch to Everton.
Zaha scored and created 20 goals in 34 Premier League games last season and would certainly improve most sides in the top-flight. A move to Everton would be a step up but would still deprive him of the Champions League football he wants.
If no desirable deal materialises, Zaha might be forced to stay in South London for another year. Everton are reticent to meet his lofty asking price and hope they can shave off a large percentage of the fee by including players that Palace have shown interest in.