Everton make moves to sign Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha

Everton have been linked with a surprise move for Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha.

Sky Sports News is reporting that the Toffees will hold talks to sign the Ivory Coast international this week.

However, it is believed Zaha would prefer a move to his boyhood club Arsenal.

Zaha has told Palace that he wants to leave Selhurst Park this summer but Everton would be a surprise destination.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for the 26-year-old but seem unwilling to pay any more than £40million.

Palace are holding out for around £80m for the forward, with Manchester United due 25% of any fee thanks to a sell-on clause included in the deal to take Zaha back to the Eagles in 2015.

I think we should take this rumour with a huge pinch of salt. With Zaha seemingly favouring a move to Arsenal I would not be surprised if Everton’s name is being used in the media to put pressure on the Gunners and force them to up their bid.

And while Zaha certainly fits into the age bracket Marcel Brands is looking to recruit, £80m is a huge amount of money to spend on one player. Last year’s big summer signing Richarlison was half that amount and five years younger.

Given we need at least three new signings to get the squad ready for the new season , would it also be something of a risk to blow most of it on one player given that will likely hinder our ability to bring further signings in?

There’s no doubt that Zaha would bring something to the team and bolster a forward line that once again looks worryingly thin.

But there is just something about this rumour that doesn’t sit right. I am ready to be proved wrong, but I get the feeling Zaha is unlikely to be pulling on a royal blue shirt anytime soon.