Will Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace take Calum Chambers, Mo Elneny and Carl Jenkinson in exchange for Wilfried Zaha?
Arsenal are stepping up their attempts to sign Wilfried Zaha by offering Calum Chambers, Mo Elneny and Carl Jenkinson as part of the deal, according to the Sun (11 July, page 50) with the Gunners valuing the trio at £40 million.
Palace have already cashed in on one homegrown fans’ favourite this summer, selling right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United, so they are twice as keen to hold onto the influential Ivory Coast international.
And you can see why. Zaha has won games almost single-handedly for Roy Hodgson’s side and 2018/19 was his best ever in the Premier League with 10 goals and five assists to his name.
An Arsenal side who are crying out for some creativity and end product in wide areas have made the one-time Manchester United youngster a top target but an opening bid of £40 million was branded ‘embarrassing’ by Crystal Palace, who value Zaha closer to £100 million.
And with funds tight at The Emirates, Arsenal are being forced to get creative. Signing Zaha while getting rid of three unwanted fringe players would be the dictionary definition of killing two birds with one stone.
The Sun claims that Arsenal have ‘effectively doubled’ their opening bid for Zaha by offering the £40 million trio of Chambers, Elneny and Jenkinson in exchange.
But it remains to be seen whether Palace are willing to swap their star man and go-to forward for a right-back and two defensive midfielders. Probably not.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
