Arsenal manager Unai Emery has requested extra funds from his board to sign Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha this summer window.
The Gunners’ failure to qualify for the Champions League for a third consecutive campaign means Unai Emery has been given just £45million to spend this window.
The Spaniard has been told he can top-up that budget through selling players and he’s considering releasing Mesut Ozil to raise funds.
Zaha has made it clear to Crystal Palace he wants to leave this summer window though he hoped to join a team playing in the Champions League.
Nevertheless the former Manchester United forward, who is a boyhood Arsenal supporter, would be open to a transfer to the Emirates.
Palace are sympathetic to Zaha’s wishes and will let him leave for the right price but do not want to release Wan-Bissaka at the same time.
That means Arsenal must be quick in their move for Zaha given the defender is close to signing for Manchester United and the Sun claim Emery has requested extra cash to fund the move.
Zaha is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast and will delay any decision on his future until after the whole tournament.
Emery wants to sign a versatile forward player as both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette want to play as a central forward.
There is room on Arsenal’s wage budget after the exits of Aaron Ramsey, Danny Welbeck and also Stephan Lichtsteiner.
