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Why Manchester United could play big role in mega-money Arsenal summer signing
WILFRIED ZAHA wants to join Arsenal to prove he can perform at a top club, claims Sky Sports reporter Aidan Magee.
Arsenal fan says club should 'definitely' pay £65m for Zaha
Zaha had a spell at Manchester United earlier in his career but made just four first-team appearances before returning to Crystal Palace in 2014.
The Ivory Coast winger has now reportedly told Palace he wants to leave the club this summer.
Arsenal had a £40million bid rejected for Zaha earlier this month, with the Eagles wanting at least double that for the 26-year-old.
Magee admits there is plenty of work to do for Arsenal to be able to get a deal across the line.
He wants to go somewhere now where he can prove that he can be the biggest player, the leading performer, at a top club
However, he says Zaha is determined to show he has what it takes to perform for a top club after his failed time at Old Trafford.
“Well the numbers suggest that there is a lot of negotiating to do,” Magee said.
“There could be other clubs in for him as well.
“But if they’re at £40m and Palace at the moment, even nominally, are suggesting he is worth £100m, then there’s some considerable negotiating to do.
“The other thing I would say about Zaha is yes he went to Manchester United in 2013, he was Sir Alex Ferguson’s last signing, but it didn’t really work out for him.
“He was back at Palace on loan within 12 months.
“He wants to go somewhere now where he can prove that he can be the biggest player, the leading performer, at a top club.
“He feels at the age he’s at that’s the time to do it.
“He doesn’t have a problem with Crystal Palace, he doesn’t have a problem with Roy Hodgson.
Crystal Palace: Zaha will ‘ABSOLUTELY leave’ says pundit
“He just feels having gone back to Crystal Palace in 2014, he’s given five good years of his career to that club, maybe now is time to move on.
“Whether Arsenal come back in and offer enough money, it brings us into the territory of what their supporters were saying earlier this week, ‘We care, do you’.
“Do they care enough about Wilfried Zaha to get him to the Emirates?
“If they do, they’re going to have to come up with top dollar.”