Wilfried Zaha

Could Aubameyang be key to unlocking Zaha’s move to Arsenal?

Wilfried Zaha has apparently pleaded with Crystal Palace to grant him a move to Arsenal this summer.

The Ivory Coast international is already thought to have informed Crystal Palace of his desire to leave the club, with the winger reportedly wanting Champions League football.

However, the Daily Mail are reporting that Zaha has pleaded with the Palace hierarchy to allow him to swap South London for North, and grant him a move to his boyhood club, Arsenal, even though the 2019/20 campaign will be the Gunners third consecutive campaign outside of Europes most elite tournament.

Palace are however reluctant to let the 26-year-old leave Selhurst Park this summer, especially considering they are already cashing in on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and are believed to have slapped an £80m price tag on the head of the one-time Man Utd player.

That is a figure way out of Arsenal’s price range right now, with the Gunners widely reported to have just £40 million at their disposal this summer, with further funds having to be raised through player sales.

Now let’s be honest, there aren’t too many players within the Arsenal ranks who would generate such significant funds, however, one player who could help fund a move for Zaha is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gabon international was surprisingly linked with a move to Manchester United earlier this month, with Italian outlet Tuttosport today claiming that he has ‘said yes’ to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Now, while we can’t vouch for the credibility of Tuttosport’s report, it does seem like an option that could benefit almost every party.

Aubameyang would likely be able to increase his wages, with the 30-year-old having recently been offered significant sums to move to China, while Manchester United would be getting a proven Premier League goalscorer as a replacement for the potential departure of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan.

It would also mean that Arsenal could shift one of their higher earners off the books, as well as helping to fund a move for a younger, also Premier League proven player.

Zaha is currently on international duty at the African Cup of Nations, and will therefore miss the start of pre-season training.

Five of the best African players to play in the Premier League

See also – Ranking each top six Premier League clubs record signing