Revealed: Arsenal's transfer target after missing out on Paqueta
FT Desk
- 28 Aug 2022 10:20 BST
- 3 min read
West Ham are on the verge of signing long-term Arsenal transfer target Lucas Paqueta from Lyon, but the Gunners have another ace up their sleeve.
Paqueta has been in high demand since leaving AC Milan for Lyon in a €20 million deal in September 2020, racking up 21 goals and 13 assists in the time since despite regularly lining up in midfield.
The Hammers have agreed to pay €60m for Paqueta - three times what OL signed the Brazilian for - and Arsenal could now move for a significantly cheaper, yet equally talented, alternative.
The skill and pass by Eze 😳
The finish by Zaha ⚡️
Another class Palace counter-attack.#CPFC | #LIVCRY pic.twitter.com/UOensJpRqH— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 15, 2022
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has emerged as a top target for Mikel Arteta, as first reported by Dean Jones. The 29-year-old is on fire this season and only ranked at €26m by Football Transfers' sophisticated inhouse algorithm.
Zaha grew up an Arsenal fan and has scored three goals in three Premier League games this season, including one against Liverpool. Former Gunners striker Kevin Campbell, for one, is excited at the prospect of seeing him at the Emirates.
Campbell: Zaha best of them all
"I believe Wilfried Zaha has been mentioned," he told the Highbury Squad podcast. "Let's be honest, production wise, Wilfried Zaha is probably the most productive of them all.
"He's a Gooner as well so wouldn't it be interesting. We've seen him absolutely torture a couple of teams since we played them. I think for two or three seasons, Zaha would be absolutely devastating for the Arsenal."
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Arsenal have hit the ground running this term, with their front four of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka propelling them to the top of the Premier League table.
But if one of them were to get injured, their squad depth is questionable, especially in wide attacking areas with Nicolas Pepe having been allowed to return to France on loan with Nice.
