Sam Allardyce has urged Arsenal to "pay the money" for Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha.
Allardyce, who worked with the Ivory Coast international during his spell in charge of the Eagles in 2016-17, thinks that the 26-year-old is worth Palace's £80m valuation, and believes that he would be a "massive success" at Arsenal should he make the switch from south to north London this summer.
"Pay the money!" Allardyce said on talkSPORT.
"Wilf is in his prime now and there’s not too many like him about."
"I think he’s so ready and I hope Steve [Parish] isn’t calling me for saying this, but it’s Wilf’s time.
"If he doesn’t go very shortly then he never will and Arsenal really need to stump the money up," added the 64-year-old.
“Wilfried is in his prime and there’s not too many like him about.” 👏
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 24, 2019
“He’s ready now and if he doesn’t go soon he never will.”
“Arsenal are trying to mess around... pay the money before it’s too late!”
Sam Allardyce says #Arsenal have to buy #CPFC’s Zaha this summer 🔁 pic.twitter.com/8gCgKpktAp
Allardyce compared Zaha's situation to that of Leicester defender Harry Maguire, who's future has been subject to much debate in recent weeks over growing reports linking him with an £85m move to Manchester United.
The former England boss said: "If Manchester United are having to pay £90m for a centre half which is what they’re looking at in Leicester’s Maguire then Wilf’s £70-80m, it’s worth it today in the market.
"He’s proven he can be a massive success at Arsenal.
"Arsenal are trying to mess around… pay the money, time’s running out and the window’s going to shut."
Arsenal have already seen two bids for Zaha rejected by Crystal Palace. The first was a laughably low offer thought to be in the region of £40m - half of what the Eagles are hoping to recoup for their prized asset.
The Gunners' second and most recent bid was for £65m plus 19-year-old forward Reiss Nelson - this was also rejected by the south Londoners.
With Palace rapidly losing patience, Arsenal realistically now have one more attempt at getting a proposed deal across the line.
The Eagles are only interested in a permanent deal for any player coming in exchange for Zaha, and are threatening to end talks with the Gunners should they keep submitting unsuitable offers.
