Arsenal transfer news: Wilfried Zaha pleads with Crystal Palace to let him join Gunners

The 26-year-old enjoyed his best-ever season at Selhurst Park last term but has made it clear he wants a new challenge and the chance to play European football

Wilfried Zaha is desperate for Crystal Palace to allow him to follow his "dream" and play for Arsenal.

The 26-year-old enjoyed his best-ever season at Selhurst Park last term but has made it clear he wants a new challenge and the chance to play European football.

The Gunners, who could provide that, are understood to be interested in the Ivory Coast winger but are unlikely to be able to meet Palace's £80m valuation for the player.

But Zaha has urged Palace to let him join the club he has supported ever since he was a boy.

"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," his brother Judicael told Sky Sports. "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."

Palace are in a strong negotiating position with Zaha still having four years to run on the £130,000 per week deal he signed only last summer.

They also have no need to sell having already banked £50m from the sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United last week.

Arsenal are keen to overhaul their playing squad this summer but having missed Champions League football for a third successive season are working with a reduced budget of around £40m.

Any move for Zaha then would likely need to be funded by player sales with the likes of Lucas Torreira, Granit Xhaka and Sead Kolasinac all possible outgoings.