Chelsea must pay club record £80m fee for Zaha

Chelsea will have to smash their record for a transfer fee if they wish to land Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha in January.

Palace have slapped an £80m tag on the 27-year-old, and it remains to be seen whether the Blues will be willing to part with such a huge sum of money.

Chelsea’s previous highest fee for a player was the £71.5m they shelled out on Kepa Arizzabalaga in 2018, making him the most expensive goalkeeper in the world.

‘Zaha came close to leaving Palace last summer and was frustrated when transfers to Arsenal and Everton broke down,’ added the Guardian.

‘Lampard made clear he wants more quality in attack after Chelsea secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 2-1 victory against Lille on Tuesday.

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‘Chelsea’s manager pointed out that losing Eden Hazard to Real Madrid has lessened his side’s creative threat. Zaha, whose form has improved following a slow start, could give Chelsea greater variety and incision in attack.’