Arsenal warned off transfer target by club legend

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:37 CDT
• 3 min read

Arsenal have been linked with a sensational swoop for Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha, but Gunners club legend Bacary Sagna doesn't think it would be a good idea.

Zaha grew up an Arsenal fan but has made his name at Palace, tallying 89 goals and 76 assists across two spells with the Eagles either side of an ill-fated move to Manchester United in 2013, and he is out of contract at the end of the season.

Arsenal best players this season have arguably been their wingers, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli responsible for 28 goals and 16 assists between them, but Mikel Arteta wants more strength in depth despite adding Brighton's Leandro Trossard for £27 million in January.

READ: Arsenal still plotting swoop for €80m star they 'agreed terms with'

Zaha would seem to be the perfect fit, but the Ivory Coast international turned 30 in November and long-time Arsenal right-back Sagna has his doubts.

What did Sagna say?

"I don't," was his swift reply when asked by Sporting Post is a move for Zaha made sense for Arsenal.

"He's 30 years old and whilst I love the player a lot and have always been a fan, Arsenal need to be focusing on signing players around 23 or 24 years old.

READ: Ten players who could transfer to Arsenal this summer

"There was a time when they were signing players even younger at 20, which is too young, but 23/24 is the perfect age they should be recruiting quality players at."

Unai Emery tried to sign Zaha for Arsenal three years ago but a transfer failed to materialise. Since then, the Gunners have jettisoned their old guard with the likes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil allowed to leave for free.

Zaha's highest ETV was €39.6m per FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm but it is down to €19.5m no owing to his age and contract situation.

Former France international right-back Sagna made 284 appearances for Arsenal between 2007 and 2014 before leaving for Manchester City on a free transfer.