Arsenal have identified Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha as the man to replace Alexis Sanchez, reports The Sun.
Sanchez’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the season and Arsenal have reluctantly accepted the Chile international will not sign a new contract.
The Gunners are bracing themselves for January interest from Manchester City after Pep Guardiola’s side failed to get a £60m deal over the line in the summer.
Arsene Wenger’s side would rather cash in on Sanchez rather than lose him for nothing at the end of the season and will use that money to sign his replacement.
Zaha, who has previously been linked with a move to Tottenham, missed two months of the season with a knee injury but Arsenal want to sign the former Manchester United flop.
Palace are currently embroiled in a relegation dog fight and will do everything in their power to convince the 25-year-old to remain at Selhurst Park until the end of the season at the very earliest.
However, it remains to be seen whether Palace would turn down a £35m offer when that money could be used by Roy Hodgson to bolster the squad.
Zaha’s return from injury at the start of October resulted in an upturn in form for the Eagles. The Ivory Coast international has scored twice in four appearances since then, winning Palace three points in the process.
Furthermore, since the start of last season, only Eden Hazard (167) has completed more dribbles than Zaha (160) in the Premier League.
