According to Sky Sports, Wilfried Zaha has submitted a transfer request to the Crystal Palace hierarchy. The news will come as little surprise, as the 26-year-old reportedly stated he wanted to leave earlier this summer. Arsenal have already seen a bid of around £40million turned down by the Eagles. However, Eagles boss Roy Hodgson stated that the Gunners offer was nowhere near Palace’s valuation of the forward.

Gunners look like the only interested party

Zaha may be limited in his options this summer. Zaha’s brother revealed earlier this summer that a move to Arsenal would be a dream one. That is handy, as it seems that only the Gunners have shown any concrete interest in the forward.

German Bundesliga club Dortmund showed an interest in the 26-year-old in the January transfer window. However, the German club looks unlikely to renew their interest this summer, as they have already signed attacking players in Thorgan Hazard and Julian Brandt.

There has also been noises about Everton showing an interest. Considering Zaha has stated he wants to play European football next season, a switch to the Merseysider’s seems unlikely.

He could stay at Palace

Palace have no need or desire to sell the Ivory Coast international. They have a big fee burning a hole in their pockets from selling young full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, so they certainly do not need the money.

The Eagles are unlikely to sell Zaha for anywhere close to the reported fee of £45million they received for Wan-Bissaka. The situation is a difficult one for the winger, as he could be left in limbo this summer. No doubt he will not be devastated to stay with the Eagles, as he seems to like the club.

However, it is understandable that at 26 years of age Zaha wants to move to a club challenging at the top end of the season. Earlier in his career, the Ivorian earned a big move to Manchester United. However, he failed to impress and returned to Palace. He has matured and developed into a much better player in the last few seasons.

If he stays at Palace, then he is likely to once again shoulder the teams attacking threat, as the Eagles look to avoid yet another relegation battle. Zaha has been previously linked with a move away from the London club. There have also been previous noises about Zaha wanting to leave the club too, yet he remained with the Eagles.

Arsenal’s limited budget a promise

It seems that Arsenal are the favourites to sign Wilfried Zaha this summer. However, the biggest problem with the Gunners pursuit of the forward seems to be the Gunners limited transfer budget. An ideal situation for Zaha, Arsenal and possibly for Palace is that the club from north London had the money to meet the Eagles valuation. That seems unlikely, considering that Unai Emery’s team needs to be strengthened elsewhere.

At the moment, this deal could go either way. However, Palace are unlikely to take a cheap offer, so this could be a story that drags on until the final days of the transfer window, which is not good for any of the parties involved.

Will Wilfried Zaha be heading to Arsenal this summer?