Manchester United scuppers Arsenal bid for Zaha; Tottenham to make strong bid for Dybala Updated for January 2026

Updated: 11th January 2026

Arsenal's bid for Crystal Palace winger Wilfred Zaha is being reportedly stymied by Manchester United.

A cash-strapped Gunners are no position to sign the Eagles winger as their bid for £40 million is way below the £80 million the Palace management is asking in an all-cash deal for the Ivorian.

United after having acquired Aaron Wan-Bissaka looked to be showing interest in Zaha, but with just a week to go before the transfer window closes, it is unsure if they will come to the negotiating table with folks at Selhurst Park.

Zaha earlier had evinced an interest in a move to Arsenal, a club he had admired since he was a child. But for the moment it looks like the 26-year old winger will have to stay where he is.

Incidentally, Palace had sold Zaha to United for £10m in January 2013 but the winger failed to make an impact at Old Trafford, returning to Selhurst Park on an initial loan before the move became permanent.

The Eagles have made it clear that are under no financial constraints and are in no haste when it comes to selling Zaha.

There's been a growing interest in clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona and even Manchester United for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen ever since chairman Daniel Levy drastically lowered the asking price for the Dane from £134 million to £62 million.

Eriksen who is part of the Fab four of the Spurs attack line has expressed a desire to leave the North London club for quite some time.

As for Old Trafford, the management there is still broaching on the idea of roping in the Spurs playmaker as a potential replacement for Paul Pogba in case the latter were to leave.

Meanwhile former international Danny Mills has warned Gareth Bale against contemplating a move to Old Trafford.

United's mediocre performance in the English Premier League last season where they finished sixth and failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League isn't the right club for the Welshman, Mills said.

“How long is this contract he’s going to sign? Eight years? When are Manchester United going to win the Champions League or Premier League? It’s not going to be within the next three years, is it?”

he added.

Meanwhile, a tug-of-war seems to be developing between Tottenham and United over Juventus forward Paulo Dybala.

The 25-year old Argentine, who saw his role in the forward ranks severely curtailed after the advent of Cristiano Ronaldo is keen to leave Turin for greener pastures.

Juve boss Maurizio Sarri is open to the idea of selling him with Manchester United tipped to become a likely destination for the forward.

But Tottenham is reportedly making a serious bid for Dybala and are willing to shatter their transfer record to bring in the Argentine forward with the amount purportedly in excess of £80 million.

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