By Jeremy Wilson
Arsenal intend to launch a formal bid for Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, with Arsène Wenger determined to add to his attacking options during the January transfer window.
Zaha, an Arsenal fan, has been watched extensively by club scouts during a season in which he has been the outstanding player in the Championship.
Crystal Palace, however, are pushing for promotion back to the Premier League and they will not sell mid-season unless an exceptional offer is forthcoming.
Wenger, the Arsenal manager, has proved repeatedly in the past that he is prepared to wait before signing a key target rather than risk paying an inflated price in the short term, meaning that any deal is more likely in the summer.
Although other leading Premier League clubs are also interested in Zaha, who would cost around £18 million, Arsenal’s track record of giving young players regular first-team football will be in their favour.
This would be important to Zaha, whose opportunities at Arsenal would also be enhanced by the probable departure at some stage next year of Theo Walcott.
