Everton To Hijack Arsenal

By Joshua Walters

Goodison Park club, Everton are eager to pip Arsenal to the signing of wantaway winger Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace this summer.

The Gunners were said to be the potential suitors for the services of the Ivorian forward as their bid of £40 million was rejected by the Glaziers.

And coming from nowhere is Marco Silva’s Everton, who are desperate to beat their fellow Premier League counterparts to the signature of Zaha with an initial offer of £55 million.

According to reports, Arsenal, who were far from Palace’s valuation tried to offer a player plus cash to the Selhurst outfit as makeweights, but have failed to strike a deal with the side.

But Everton are ready to pay as high as £70 million should they get into a bidding war with Unai Emery’s side.

All told, Crystal Palace, on the other hand, seem not to be in the mood to offload their highly-rated winger, having set £100 million price tag on the pacey forward.

Zaha, in last season expressed his desire to have a Champions League football experience after spending five years at Palace.

"I'm too ambitious. And not ambitious just to play for a top club, but to win things at club level and with the Ivory Coast," he told the Daily Mail.

"For me to be better, to achieve what I know I am capable of, I have to aim to play at the very highest level, to win trophies. I'm blessed to have come this far in my playing career. But I feel like there is so much more I have to offer.

"I have to experience the Champions League. I just need the opportunity, that's it. And I'll do the rest."

Zaha made 34 appearances for Crystal Palace last season, scoring ten goals and providing five assists.