Wilfried Zaha makes Everton transfer admission after failed £50m bid and club statement
Wilfried Zaha said he was open to joining Everton when the club moved for him back in 2019. Then at Crystal Palace, the winger was the subject of a disputed and protracted series of negotiations that saw the Blues publicly deny some of the reports surrounding their interest.
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They did acknowledge a bid for the former Manchester United player - and he has now revealed the interest went both ways.
Then 26, Zaha's future was up in the air six summers ago. Arsenal went into the close season favourites to sign the Ivory Coast international but ended up moving for Lille attacker Nicolas Pepe.
READ MORE: Seamus Coleman signs new Everton contract as David Moyes explains key role
READ MORE: Jarrad Branthwaite Everton contract talks advance as club close on top priority
Instead it was Everton that ended up attempting to prise him away from Selhurst Park and the club saw a bid of around £50m turned down.
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When reports then surfaced about a second bid of cash and players, the Blues went public to try and close them down, issuing a statement that said: "Everton Football Club categorically denies that a bid has been submitted to Crystal Palace for Wilfried Zaha that included an increased sum plus Cenk Tosun and James McCarthy. Everton and Crystal Palace have a very good relationship.
"A bid was made over the weekend which was turned down. Both clubs agreed that was the end of the matter."
Zaha, who is now 32 and playing in the US with Charlotte having been loaned there by Galatasaray, was asked about the saga while being interviewed on the Real Spill podcast, explaining he was interested in a move to join Marco Silva at Goodison Park.
He said: 'They were in for me and I was open to it, I was open to the move but things didn't work out."
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