Sky Sports: Arsenal to submit formal offer after prime target demands move

Managers are working hard trying to strengthen their squads during the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Here, Wilfried Zaha has told Crystal Palace he wants to leave….

Arsenal are ready to table an improved bid for Wilfried Zaha after the winger informed Crystal Palace he wants to leave the club this summer, according to Sky Sports News.

Unai Emery is desperately trying to strengthen his squad following a frustrating first season in charge at the Emirates that saw Arsenal fail to qualify for the Champions League and the boss is in the market for a new winger.

Zaha is one of Emery’s prime transfer targets but we’ve been struggling to agree terms for the Ivory Coast international after Crystal Palace rejected our opening £40m offer because it fell well short of their valuation.

The 26-year-old’s brother went public with Zaha’s wish to leave Selhurst Park this summer to try and force Palace into lowering their demands but the Eagles stood firm and insisted they wouldn’t be bullied into selling on the cheap.

However, it appears Zaha has now turned up the heat as Sky Sports claim the attacker has now personally informed Palace he wants to leave the club this summer once he returns from holiday and Arsenal is his preferred destination.

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol tweeted:

WIlfried Zaha has told Crystal Palace he wants to leave after returning from the African Cup of Nations. Palace rejected £40m bid. Arsenal expected to push again in the coming days. Zaha is Unai Emery’s No 1 target.
Emery has wanted him since Palace beat Arsenal 3-2 in April

— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) July 18, 2019

Arsenal is Zaha's personal preference but even if he doesn’t move there, it won't stop him wanting to play on the biggest stages. He wants to prove to himself that he can be the biggest player at a big club 2/2

— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) July 18, 2019

Sky Sports claim Arsenal will table an improved offer for Zaha over the coming days as Emery looks to finally land one of his key targets having only signed Brazilian youngster Gabriel Martinelli so far this summer.

It remains to be seen what Arsenal’s second offer will be but Palace boss Roy Hodgson made it clear earlier this week that the Gunners need to significantly improve upon their opening bid.

“I don’t think Arsenal have actually made a bid that has come anywhere near our valuation.” Hodgson is quoted as saying by Sky Sports

“I’m sure the player realises that if someone’s going to take him away from us, he’ll expect clubs to pay the market value. Until someone does that, there’s not much to discuss regarding Wilf.”

Zaha would be an excellent signing but it will be difficult for Arsenal to afford him without selling one of our key players as Emery reportedly has just £45m to spend this summer and he wants to bring in up to four new signings.

READ –> Arsenal transfer news

There have been reports Arsenal could offer Palace the likes of Calum Chambers, Mohamed Elneny and Carl Jenkinson as part of a player-plus-cash swap deal so that would reduce the financial outlay if we could pull it off.