Transfer Centre

Wilfried Zaha 'puts in transfer request to force Arsenal move'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 29 June 2019

Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha reportedly asks the club for permission to speak to Arsenal over a possible summer move to the Emirates Stadium.

Wilfried Zaha has reportedly asked Crystal Palace for permission to speak to Arsenal over a possible summer move.

The 26-year-old suggested towards the end of the 2018-19 campaign that he is ready to test himself at the highest level once again, despite an unsuccessful stint with Manchester United earlier in his career.

Arsenal are now considered the favourites for his signature, and The Mirror reports that Zaha has asked Palace to let him leave Selhurst Park for a second time.

However, The Eagles are reluctant to lose their star asset, particularly with Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the verge of completing a £50m move to Manchester United.

Palace's £80m asking price is likely to be a major hurdle in negotiations between the two clubs, with Arsenal understood to only have a £45m transfer budget this summer.

Zaha has reportedly pleaded with owner Steve Parish not to price him out of a move to the Emirates Stadium, although Palace have little need to lower their demands considering the windfall they are set to receive for Wan-Bissaka.

Arsenal have also been linked with defensive duo William Saliba and Kieran Tierney in addition to Zaha, who scored 10 goals in 34 Premier League games last season.