Arsenal transfer news: Zaha, Fekir, Jenkinson, Bowen, Brahimi

Zaha’s brother’s plea to Palace

Arsenal have reportedly launched a £40m bid for Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha.

Unfortunately that is half of the Eagles’ estimation and the south London club won’t be bullied into selling Zaha for a penny less than their £80m valuation.

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Sky Sports says another reason why Palace have set a high asking price is that Manchester United have a 25% sell-on clause after he rejoined Palace from Old Trafford back in 2015.

But in an interview with Zaha’s brother, Judicael, the sibling explained why Palace should sell him to Arsenal: “It’s my brother’s dream though, to play for Arsenal.

“Given all that Wilfried has given to Crystal Palace to help them remain a Premier League club, I hope Palace will be able to see their way to agreeing a deal with Arsenal that allows Wilfried to realise his dream of playing European football for the club he’s supported since childhood.”

Palace ‘incensed’

The BBC reports that Palace have been left “incensed” by Arsenal’s move for Zaha.

Arsenal’s £40m bid will not even be considered by “furious” Palace chiefs and they expect a fee “drastically higher” than the £50m Manchester United paid for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Jenkinson sweetener?

Meanwhile, The Sun reports that Palace and Arsenal are in negotiations over Carl Jenkinson with Eagles’ boss Roy Hodgson said to be a big fan of the defender.

Jenkinson made only a handful of appearances at the Emirates last season and Palace see him as “Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s defensive replacement”.

The Sun says that the 27-year-old Jenkinson is available for a modest £5m but Arsenal head coach Unai Emery might look to use him as a sweetener in talks over Zaha.

Fekir offer

Arsenal have been offered Lyon ace Nabil Fekir for just £30m, claims The Sun, with the paper reporting that the French international is plan B in the event that the Gunners fail to land Zaha.

Fekir was heavily linked to Liverpool last year but the deal fell through when he reportedly failed a medical.

Lyon are apparently ready to offload Fekir and the 25-year-old is said to be keen to move to the Emirates and is confident he would pass the medical.

Bowen bid

Arsenal and Tottenham are both vying to land Hull City striker Jarrod Bowen.

The Daily Mail is one of several outlets to report that the two north London clubs are attracted not only by Bowen’s eye for goal but also his reasonable £12m price tag.

The 22-year-old scored 22 times in the Championship last season, and also has some limited experience of the Premier League, having appeared seven times for Hull in the 2016-17 season.

According to the Mail Hull have slapped a £15m price tag on Bowen but “they may be tempted to let him go for cheaper if Arsenal make a bid”.

Brahimi talks

Sky Sports reports that Arsenal are in talks with free agent Yacine Brahimi.

The 29-year-old attacking midfielder recently left Portuguese side Porto, where he scored 13 goals in 49 matches last season.

According to Sky sources despite talks currently taking place it’s understood that “personal terms are still a way from being agreed”.