Crystal Palace have turned down Arsenal’s opening offer of £40m for Wilfried Zaha, claims The Sun.
Arsenal manager Unai Emery has earmarked Zaha as his top transfer target but the Gunners’ opening bid has fallen way short of Palace’s valuation.
Zaha still has three years left to run on his current deal and Palace are under no pressure to sell the Ivory Coast international.
The 26-year-old is desperate to secure a dream move to Arsenal but fears being priced out of a transfer away from Selhurst Park.
Palace are reportedly holding out for in excess of £70m for Zaha, which is nearly twice as much as Arsenal’s reported transfer budget this summer.
Arsenal’s opening £40m offer was structured in payments being made over five years and their proposal was laughed out of Palace’s boardroom.
Palace have already banked £45m for 21-year-old right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer and will not entertain any offers for Zaha unless their valuation is met.
Arsenal are expected to table an improved offer but may have to offer Palace multiple players in return to lower Zaha’s transfer fee.
Only Eden Hazard (303) has completed more dribbles than Zaha (232) in the last two Premier League campaigns.
