Wilfried Zaha has submitted a transfer request to Crystal Palace after they rejected Everton’s latest offer and insisted they will not accept less than £100m for the Ivory Coast forward.
Marco Silva’s side have emerged as the only serious suitors for Zaha since Arsenal’s bid for the 26-year-old was rejected this summer. Everton have already seen a £52m bid rejected by Palace at the end of July.
Having signed Moise Kean from Juventus, however, Silva is understood to be keen to add more attacking options to his squad and on Tuesday Everton submitted a new offer of £70m plus James McCarthy that would have also involved the Turkey striker Cenk Tosun joining on a season-long loan.
That was immediately rejected by Palace, who are reluctant to sell with little more than 24 hours of the Premier League’s transfer window remaining and concerns about how they could replace such a crucial player before the start of the new season.
It is understood that Zaha has been left furious by the decision with the player disappointed that the south London club are blocking the transfer despite having agreed last summer to accept any “reasonable offers” they received.
After his representatives held talks with Palace on Wednesday he submitted the transfer request in an attempt to force their hand before Saturday’s opening game of the season, against Everton at Selhurst Park.
It is understood that the chairman, Steve Parish, remains committed to retaining Zaha, although there is a recognition that they cannot keep a player who is unhappy.
Everton, who have completed the loan signing of the France international Djibril Sidibe from Monaco, also saw a bid for Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi rejected but are still hopeful of adding extra players to Silva’s squad having agreed to sell McCarthy to Palace.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder travelled to London on Tuesday evening for his medical having agreed terms on a £3m move while Roy Hodgson’s side have also signed Victor Camarasa on a season-long loan from Real Betis. The Spaniard spent last season on loan at Cardiff and Palace will have the option of making his move permanent at the end of the season for £15m. They are also interested in signing Chelsea’s Reece James on loan, although the highly-rated 19-year-old could now be staying at Stamford Bridge to act as César Azpilicueta’s understudy.