Arsenal hopes of signing Ivory Coast star Wilfried Zaha this summer have received a huge blow after Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson said he expects the him to still be an Eagles player this season.
Zaha is Arsenal’s number one target this season and have had their first offer turned down by Crystal Palace. According to reports, the Gunners offer was way below Crystal Palace valuation for the player.
The former Cardiff striker is said to be interested in a move to the Emirates and has reportedly told Palace authorities he wants to leave.
However, Eagles boss, Roy Hodgson has told reporters he expects Zaha who represented Ivory Coast at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt to return to the club this summer.
“He has not spoken to me. I don’t know if he’s spoken to the club [asking to leave],” Hodgson told reporters.
“As far as I’m concerned, he is coming back, he is our player and I’ve been given no information that the club is interested in selling him at the moment.”
Zaha is currently on an extended summer break following his exhaustions at Africa’s biggest tournament which saw Ivory Coast go out on penalties to eventual winners Algeria in the quarterfinal stage. He has been given ten days extended break but Hodgson believes he may cut short his break to rejoin the squad.
“I’m just expecting him back, looking forward to working with him and seeing some of the things he can do for us.
“I think he has got another 10 days or another week of holiday. I think he is back after we play Bristol City and before we play Hertha Berlin – that gives him his three weeks off. If he wants to come back earlier we will be very happy to see him.”
