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Arsenal to make improved bid for Wilfried Zaha but Unai Emery has back-up targets
ARSENAL are expected to make an improved offer for Wilfried Zaha next week after having an initial £40million bid rejected - but do have alternative options.
Zaha has told Crystal Palace he wants to leave and join Arsenal - the club he supported as a boy.
The Ivory Coast international, who has four years left on his current deal, scored 10 goals and laid on five assists last season, and is valued at £80m by The Eagles.
As a result, Selhurst Park chiefs scoffed at Arsenal’s opening bid, which ostensibly reflects their whole summer budget.
Nevertheless, The Gunners, who are desperate to deliver Unai Emery a winger, will make an improved bid next week, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.
As far as Zaha is concerned, we expect Arsenal to go back in with an improved offer
“As far as Zaha is concerned, we expect Arsenal to go back in with an improved offer to the £40m they put in first time,” he said.
“That is likely to happen next week. But this one, we’ve been saying this one could go on until deadline day - something that won’t suit Palace.
“They will want to bring in replacements from the money they get from Zaha.
“But, as it stands, Palace do not want to sell. They’re not under much pressure to sell either because Zaha is on a long-term contract at Selhurst Park.”
In an event that Arsenal do not get their main target, they have cheaper options.
“Arsenal are looking at alternatives, they’ve been in talks with free agent Yassim Brahimi,” Sheth added. “His contract with Porto ran out at midnight on Sunday.
“The other guy they’re looking at is called Ismaila Sarr from Rennes. He would cost around £35m.
“But there is another name that has emerged today and that is Real Madrid’s Lucas Vasquez.
“Real have spent big, big money this transfer window; they need to offload players.
“Ideal scenario is they get rid of Gareth Bale and his wages for a big transfer fee. Lucas Vasquez is another one.”
Vasquez is thought to fit Emery’s profile and would certainly cost less than the £80m for which Palace are hoping, although his value is higher than that of Sarr’s.