Arsenal Transfers: Wilfried Zaha re-emerges as transfer target before deadline

On Monday morning, Arsenal fans awoke to the news of Pedro Neto being confirmed as the ‘mystery winger’ the club are prioritising a move for before the deadline, but the Wolves man isn’t the only option. Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has been listed as a possible alternative to the Portuguese international.

Neto appears to be a good fit for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners in almost every sense of the word, but it’ll be a difficult deal for the club to pull off financially. The winger recently extended his stay at Molineux until 2027 and Wolves do not want to sell the 22-year-old before the deadline despite bringing in Goncalo Guedes from Valencia.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are poised to sanction the loan departure of Nicolas Pepe back to Ligue 1, but the Ivorian will likely only be able to depart if someone else is brought in. Could that winger instead be Zaha?

Wilfried Zaha re-emerges as transfer target before deadline

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Zaha is a long-time target of the club and they were close to signing the Ivorian under Unai Emery’s tutelage back in 2019. Emery was said to be keen on bringing in the Palace man before the club hierarchy fatefully opted to sign Pepe from Lille in a record-breaking deal.

Zaha has continued to shine at Selhurst Park and the Gunners are believed to have reignited their interest in the 29-year-old ahead of the summer deadline.

According to Dean Jones, who was speaking on The Football Terrace (via @afcstuff), Zaha is one of the names Arsenal are looking at as a possible alternative to Pedro Neto. The club have also been linked with Villarreal’s Yeremy Pino.

The 29-year-old has started the season superbly at Palace and would certainly be an intriguing coup for the Gunners. On the surface, Zaha doesn’t boast everything that Mikel Arteta looks for in a wide player, but there’s no denying how destructive he can be on his day.

For now, though, this is just another link. Jones says that nothing has moved forward in regards to a deal.