Chelsea interested in signing Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha. PUBLISHED: PUBLISHED: 06:15, Sat, Jan 11, 2020 0 Chelsea urged to avoid Wilfried Zaha transfer for two reasons by Paul Merson (Image: Getty)

Chelsea should not sign Wilfried Zaha because they have young wingers coming through and are well stocked in the position as it is, believes Arsenal hero Paul Merson. Express Sport understands that the Blues are interested in bringing Zaha to Stamford Bridge either this month or in the summer. Related articles Chelsea handed N'Golo Kante transfer blow as star wants £100m move

Reports have emerged that the west London club balked at the player’s wage demands, though, which were said to be around £200,000 a week.

Zaha has changed agents this window in order to help engineer a move away from Selhurst Park, where he is contracted until 2023.

Crystal Palace are only willing to sell their talisman if their £80million valuation is met, however.

The Eagles are yet to receive a bid in that ballpark and former Gunners playmaker Merson has warned Chelsea over stumping up that fee for Zaha, who has scored only three league goals this season.

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“Chelsea are well-stocked for wingers,” Merson told the Daily Star , referring particularly to Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic.

“I don’t see why they need him when they have all these young players coming through with much greater potential.”

He added: “I just can’t see a European giant paying £80m for a player who won’t get you double-figure goals every season.

“Sometimes you’re better off being a big fish in a small pond. Everything revolves around him at Palace. They play through him all the time.

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