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Arsenal boss Unai Emery confident of £60m Wilfried Zaha transfer for one reason
ARSENAL boss Unai Emery is confident of securing a deal for Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha over the next few weeks for one crucial reason.
Wilfried Zaha to Arsenal is the right move says pundit
Arsenal are desperate to strengthen their playing squad this summer having missed out on a return to Champions League football last season.
One difficulty in doing so this summer has been their transfer budget, which has been significantly reduced by their failure to reach Europe’s premier competition for two seasons in a row.
Now that Zaha has made his desire to join Arsenal clear, it will help Unai Emery get a deal over the line, and he might not have to break the bank.
The Times have reported that an agreement could be reached for less than £60million, after the Gunners had a initial bid of £40m rejected.
Palace have quoted a price for £80m for the 26-year-old, but the fact that he is willing to force through a move has diminished the strength in their stance.
Emery is even more confident of completing a deal because Arsenal are the only club that are showing interest in Zaha, and the only club that have made a concrete bid.
The Ivory Coast international is currently away at the African Cup of Nations, with talks set to reach a conclusion once he returns.
The Elephants face Mali in the round of 16 on Monday, with Zaha’s brother confirming his Arsenal interest to Sky Sports on Monday.
Judicael Zaha said: “Wilfried will always hold Crystal Palace and their fans in the highest regard and all the support they've given means the world to him.
"It’s my brother’s dream though, to play for Arsenal.
"Given all Wilfried has given to Palace to help them remain a Premier League club.
“I hope Palace will be able to see their way to agreeing a deal with Arsenal that allows Wilfried to realise his dream of playing European Football for the club he’s supported since childhood."
Zaha: Crystal Palace want ‘double’ Arsenal’s bid says pundit
The former Manchester United winger has hinted at his transfer position in recent months, and made his desire to win trophies clear to the Daily Mail in April.
He said: “I’m too ambitious. And not ambitious just to play for a top club, but to win things at club level and with the Ivory Coast.
“For me to be better, to achieve what I know I am capable of, I have to aim to play at the very highest level, to win trophies.
“I’m blessed to have come this far in my playing career. But I feel like there is so much more I have to offer."