Wilfried Zaha has been cautioned by Arsenal veteran Paul Merson not to move while the club is attempting to buy him.
This comes amid rumours over the future of the Crystal Palace and Ivory Coast player.
Zaha has five goals in nine games so far this season but, as his contract expires, he might depart the team at the end of the campaign.
Zaha, 29, may transfer to a “bigger” team; given his historical ties to the Gunners, Arsenal is the most likely candidate.
Merson, on the other hand, has counselled against joining a bigger club. In his column for the Daily Star, he stated, “He can have a bad game and still start the following match and that might not happen at a Big Six club.
“I think he should seriously consider his options before running down his contract. He’s a legend at Palace and the manager loves him.
“I see someone like Arsenal coming in for him if they get into the Champions League but do you go there and risk becoming a bit-part player?
“You’re then going on a free. It’s not like you’re Darwin Nunez, who cost £85m and therefore has to play. Will he want to play for one week and then drop to the bench? I’m just not sure whether the grass is going to be greener for Zaha.
“He’s playing the best football of his career and there is a reason for that. He needs to sit down and have a big think about his future.”
