Unai Emery requests extra funds as Arsenal target Premier League winger

According to The Metro, Unai Emery has requested the Arsenal board for extra funds in order to sign Wilfried Zaha

Earlier this summer, several reports claimed that the Gunners boss would be provided only £40 million to spend, leading to an uproar on social media.

That’s not a lot of money on the current market, with even average players going for fees higher than £50 million these days.

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Understandably, business has been very slow for Arsenal. Lucas Torreira has been linked with a move to AC Milan, which would be a huge blow for Emery. The Uruguayan was arguably one of the club’s best outfield players last season.

Arsenal is also reportedly targeting players like Lewis Dunk and Alexis Claude Maurice who could be available on the cheap. Wilfried Zaha, however, will cost considerably more.

The Ivory Coast winger himself is keen on testing himself at a bigger club, and Crystal Palace is willing to let him leave for the right price. However, they want to keep hold of Aaron Wan-Bissaka if that is to happen.

This means that Emery will have to work very fast, with news reports recently stating that Wan-Bissaka is close to completing a move to Manchester United.

This could be a problem though, with Zaha currently occupied with his national team at the African Cup of Nations.

Zaha is a graduate of the Crystal Palace academy, but was signed by Alex Ferguson for Man United in 2013. He failed to break into the first team, and Palace re-signed him a year later on an initial loan deal.

He has since been a consistently brilliant player for his boyhood club. Last season was his personal best, as he scored 10 goals in 34 Premier League games.

At the age of 26, it could be the perfect time for him to make a step up. He’s also a childhood Arsenal fan, which could help Emery in his negotiations.

Zaha is sure to cost upwards of £50 million, and Arsenal could generate the required funds by offloading Mesut Ozil. The 30-year-old has often been berated for his low work rate, and endured a very poor 18/19 campaign.

With Danny Welbeck also leaving the Emirates, Zaha could prove a versatile option up front for the Gunners, and could be the signing to help them challenge for a top 4 spot next season.