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Unai Emery will reportedly plea to the Arsenal board to break the bank for Wilfried Zaha.

The Gunners failed to qualify for the Champions League leaving Emery with a budget of just £45m to improve his side this summer.

Club bosses impose strict financial restrictions - but The Sun claim Emery will ask them to be more flexible to try and land No.1 target Zaha.

The Crystal Palace star is considered by Emery as a central figure to his summer rebuild but would cost at least £55m.

Emery is attempting to raise extra transfer funds by offloading players but may still need the board to alter their transfer budget to fund the move.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Boyhood Arsenal fan Zaha has spoken of his desire to test himself at the top level - but he would have to be convinced to play Europa League football with a view to helping the Gunners get back into the Champions League.

Zaha is currently in Egypt for the African Cup of Nations, preparing for his first group game for Ivory Coast against South Africa on Monday.

Emery, meanwhile, will try to tempt his bosses to make an offer ready for his return.

Despite switching allegiances to Ivory Coast, Zaha would still boost Arsenal's quota of homegrown players.

Arsenal have also launched a bid for Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney as they look to make the most of their limited funds to strengthen.

(Image: Getty Images)

The club have been urged by legend Ray Parlour to take some risks and spend big to reclaim a spot at the top table of European football.

He said: “They are a long way behind Liverpool and Manchester City . Maybe they have to spend a bit more money.

“It’s all about investment. As much as I hate to say that money is everything, but it’s always gone that way.

“Sometimes you have to go beyond your budget, absolutely.

"If you can attract a player and you know he is very keen to go, sometimes you have to push the boat out a little but further and take the gamble."