Arsenal do have the financial power to secure a deal for Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, but would ‘walk away’ should a potential deal exceed £70m, according to reports.
Zaha has emerged as Arsenal‘s top transfer target this summer, with Unai Emery’s side seeing an opening offer of £40m rejected for the Ivory Coast international.
Crystal Palace are believed to want around £80m to part with the 26-year-old, far exceeding Arsenal’s reported £45m transfer budget, however, Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solekhol believes the rumoured figures around Arsenal’s finances are a ‘smokescreen’ and says the club can afford Zaha this summer.
“We know that Arsenal have made a bid of £40m and we know that Crystal Palace are not going to sell him for that kind of money,” he said on The Transfer Show. “They are looking for at least double that if they decide to let him go.
Is Wilfried Zaha worth £80m? #CPFC pic.twitter.com/hP1n2k40eG
— The Football Faithful (@FootyFaithful_) July 4, 2019
“People are expecting Arsenal to come in with another bid, and we have spoken to people involved in the negotiations and an improved bid has not been made yet. There is every expectation that Arsenal will make that improved bid.
“Interestingly, we have read that Arsenal’s transfer budget this summer, because they have missed out on the Champions League, is just £45m, plus what they can raise from selling players.
“We have kept reading that, £45m. People are thinking ‘why are Arsenal trying to sign a player who Crystal Palace are saying is worth £80m, when they only have £45m?’
“What I have been told is that it suits Arsenal that people think they only have £45m, because when they get into negotiations over a player, the selling club is going to think Arsenal don’t have much money.
“What I have been told is that this is a bit of a smokescreen and Arsenal can go up to £70m to buy Wilfried Zaha. £70m is the point at which they would walk away. A deal that would be worth £70m in total.
“We just have to take it with a pinch of salt that Arsenal only have £45m. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world. We are not talking about £300m for Neymar, this is £70m in total. I think Arsenal can do that.”
See also – Five of the Premier League’s most drawn out transfer sagas
“The speculation really affected Wilf… it was like being chewed by sharks.” ????
“I gave him to Sir Alex because he’d have seen the beauty and joy of him.” ????
“Wilf can do what Ronaldo can do.” ????
Ian Holloway explains Wilfred Zaha’s #MUFC move, his ability and future ???? pic.twitter.com/rqOqNU2JEi
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 4, 2019
