By Sami Mokbel

PUBLISHED: 17:45 EST, 2 November 2012 | UPDATED: 17:45 EST, 2 November 2012

Arsenal will launch a 9million move to land Crystal Palace whizkid Wilfried Zaha in January.

The club have watched the 19-year-old, who grew up as an Arsenal supporter, on several occasions this season.

And Arsenal's interest in Zaha took a step forward last weekend when chief scout Steve Rowley watched the teenager put in a scintillating display
against Leicester.

The real deal: Wilfried Zaha is attracting interest from a raft of clubs

The real deal: Wilfried Zaha (left) is attracting interest from a raft of clubs

The winger is settled in London and is no hurry to leave Selhurst Park, but it is understood the youngster would find it difficult to turned down a switch to a top Premier League club.

Arsenal are likely to start their bidding with a deal worth 9m, an offer which will comprise of a number of performance-related add-ons.

But Palace, who were continuing with their attempts to name Blackpool manager Ian Holloway as their next manager, will not let their teenage sensation leave Selhurst Park without a fight.

Financially, the club are under no pressure to sell Zaha in January, while chairman Steve Parish has publicly insisted it would take a 20million offer for Palace to part with their Ivory-Coast born forward.

The south London club remained determined to keep hold of Zaha, particularly if they remain in the hunt for promotion at the turn of the year, and will inform their incoming manager their are no plans to sell the forward in January.

But that will not stop Arsenal testing Palace's resolve. It is highly unlikely Palace will accept an 9million offer - but the the Gunners are determined to land the youngster.

An improved bid between 12m-15m could leave Parish with a serious question to answer.

The comments below have not been moderated.

Maybe another 12 months at selhurst p then off to a big club Q P R

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Nowhere near enough - if true .....

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Then sell him once he's become a good player.

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hard to turn down the chance to play for the club you supported as a boy. how good would it feel for him to walk onto the emirates pitch as an arsenal player. at least he will get a game.

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CHIRPY CHIRPY CHEEP CHEEP _ NO CHANCE!

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He would be a superb signing. He's got a whole lot of talent. Hope we can sort out a new contract for Walcott as well. COYG!

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"Financially, the club are under no pressure to sell Zaha in January, It is highly unlikely Palace will accept an 9million offer" At last no more inaccurate "cash strapped palace" comments from the media. We have moved on.

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