Gabby Agbonlahor has backed the likes of Arsenal to sign Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace and stated that he will ‘want to leave’ with his contract expiring next summer, as he told talkSPORT (19/10/22 at 8:45 am).
The former Aston Villa striker added that Zaha once told him that he was ‘frustrated’ that a previous move to Arsenal didn’t materialise.
Now at 29, Zaha has taken his game to much higher levels over the years, including scoring 14 Premier League goals last season and he is currently sitting on five.
Playing under the stewardship of a more forward-thinking coach and attacking manager in Patrick Vieira has helped the all-action forward even further, as he proved on Tuesday night.
Palace came from 1-0 down to secure all three points against managerless Wolves, with Zaha scoring the all-important winning goal.
Agbonlahor thinks Zaha still has one final chance to play for a team in Europe, especially given that his contract will expire next summer, as he threw Arsenal’s name into the hat and added that the Palace star is better than the likes of Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison of Tottenham.
“I don’t think he’s missed a chance (to move to a top-six club),” said Agbonlahor. “I found out that his contract runs out next summer, then he can go on a free transfer to a top club.
“If you are Arsenal, Spurs or Chelsea, then you are snapping him up on a three-year contract. He was outstanding (against Wolves) – He has played in the Premier League for so long, yet he showed a lot of hunger – A great player. I hope he gets that move.
“I think he will want to leave. I remember talking to him. It might have been three or four years ago and I saw him. Remember he was frustrated he didn’t get the move? (To Arsenal). He was frustrated at that. He’s loving his football. You have Chelsea, Arsenal or Spurs, who are like ‘come, we are going to give you the top wages. We are going to give you Champions League’. He can’t turn it down. London club as well.
Agbonlahor then picks Zaha over Richarlison and adds: “Put Richarlison in Palace’s side. Would he have the effect on Palace that Zaha has had? I don’t think so. If he goes to a bigger club. He will have more space. Then he will play for Arsenal, Spurs or Chelsea.”
ZAHA IS WORTHY OF A STEP UP
If Zaha doesn’t sign that new Palace contract, then any Premier League club in Europe would be stupid not to snap him up on a free transfer.
At 29, you are getting a player at the peak of his powers, hungry to prove his worth, he scored 14 Premier League goals last season and he will surely hit double figures again.
It remains to be seen what situation Arsenal will be in, but whether they are champions, in the Champions League, or in the Europa League, in all of those three scenarios Zaha would be ideal.
Plus, from the perspective of Arsenal, he did support the club as a young kid.
