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This article is part of Football FanCast's Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers...

Speaking on talkSPORT, former Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce has urged Arsenal to "stop messing around" in their pursuit to sign Wilfried Zaha.

What did he say?

Reports in recent weeks had suggested that the Gunners had not given up hope of signing Zaha, after they saw an initial bid for the Ivory Coast international rejected.

Despite suggestions that the Gunners would potentially be coming back in with an improved bid, Allardyce reminded the north London side that the transfer window deadline is approaching and warned them about dithering for any longer.

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The ex-England boss said: "Pay the money. Time’s running out and the window is going to shut. If Manchester United are having to pay £90m for a centre-half, which is what they’ve been quoted for (Harry) Maguire, then this £70m/£80m price tag being put on Zaha is well worth it in light of the market we’re operating in today.

"Wilfried is proven at this level and he’d be a massive success at Arsenal. He’s ready, but Arsenal need to stop messing around like they are the minute.

"Wilfried is in his prime – there’s not too many players like him about. He’s ready now to move on now, so Arsenal just need to get the deal done."

Tick-tock

As the Gunners' final pre-season friendly on their tour of the USA came to an end against Real Madrid, all eyes turned straight back to what Unai Emery's side will be doing in the transfer market for the rest of the window.

Arsenal face a tricky start to the Premier League campaign with the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham to come in the early weeks of the season, and need to get up and running as soon as possible.

Leaving a deal for Zaha to the last minute in the hope they can drive a hard bargain is a dangerous game, and could potentially leave them with egg on their face. As Allardyce suggests, the Gunners simply have to push the boat out immediately and bring the 26-year-old in, if indeed he is their main priority this summer.