Everton and Chelsea in bidding war for Zaha
Everton have told Crystal Palace they are prepared to pay £60million plus striker Cenk Tosun for Wilfired Zaha, but fear they could miss out to Chelsea.
The Daily Telegraph understands that Chelsea are weighing up a bid for Zaha to take him to Stamford Bridge once the club have served their two-window transfer ban.
Chelsea have lodged an appeal against their ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but the fear remains that as well as missing out on this summer’s window they will be prevented from making any signings in January.
That may suit Palace, as it would most likely allow Zaha to spend the season at Selhurst Park and improve their chances of signing Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, who spent last season on loan with the Eagles.
Chelsea have yet to make any firm move for 26-yearold, but the player is thought to be aware of their interest in setting up a transfer.
Everton want to do a deal now and have indicated a willingness to send Tosun to Palace as well as pay £60million, which is comfortably more than Arsenal’s first bid of £40million and far closer to Palace’s valuation. Palace have previously been interested in Tosun and Everton are making it clear how serious they are by offering to shatter their transfer record.
But the former Manchester United forward wants to join a club he believes will compete in the Champions League and favours a move to either Arsenal or Chelsea. With Arsenal struggling to match Palace’s £80million valuation, Chelsea may see an opportunity to offer a deal that could suit all parties. Christian Pulisic has joined Chelsea after agreeing his move in January, while Callum Hudsonodoi is on the verge of signing a new £100,000-a-week contract. But Eden Hazard left for Real Madrid and Pedro and Olivier Giroud only have one year remaining on their contracts. Willian hopes to sign a contract until 2021.
Chelsea would have no problem in meeting Palace’s demands, as they have banked up to £130million for Hazard and also sold Alvaro Morata to Atletico Madrid in a deal worth £58 million.
There could also be further exits, with Chelsea thought to be ready to consider offers for midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko. He spent last season on loan at AC Milan and may be allowed to go out on loan again or move away permanently. Paris Stgermain have shown an interest.
Other than worrying that Chelsea could enter the race for Zaha, Everton are also beginning to resign themselves to the fact they will not be able to sign defender Kurt Zouma. He spent last season on loan at Everton, but Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard wants the Frenchman as part of his squad.