Palace consider Zaha paramount to their chances of remaining in the Premier League

Wilfried Zaha has informed Crystal Palace that he wants to join Arsenal and hopes that the club will reduce his £80 million price tag, which he believes is hindering his chances of a transfer.

The winger, 26, reiterated his desire to leave at a meeting with the Palace chairman Steve Parish and has ambitions to play in the Champions League. Zaha’s preference is to remain in London and he is hoping that Arsenal will make an offer before their players begin to return to training next week.

However, a deal is complicated for a number of reasons. Palace consider Zaha paramount to their chances of remaining in the Premier League and Arsenal have a limited transfer budget of about £45 million, having failed to qualify