Arsenal and Crystal Palace could end up doing each other a favour this summer.
Both are looking to bolster their squads ahead of the new season and each have certain positions which need to be addressed before the transfer window closes next month.
Last season proved the Gunners need a natural winger or two, hence links to Eagles star Wilfried Zaha, Bournemouth's Ryan Fraser, Dalian Yifang's Yannick Carrasco and Lille's Nicolas Pepe among plenty offers.
But it would appear Unai Emery's first-choice target is Zaha.
However, the north London outfit have seen a bid of £40m rejected by their London rivals and it's understood that Palace are holding out for close to £80m.
With that said, could the two clubs reach a compromise that suits all parties?
Well, following Palace's humiliating 6-2 loss against Barnet earlier in the week, manager Roy Hodgson admitted he needs defenders and more specifically a replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka following his £50m move to Manchester United.
"We've got enormous problems at the back at the moment," Hodgson told Sky Sports. "We really don't have any defenders, to speak of. Aaron's gone and we've got three others injured.
"We will have to do the best we can to make sure we replace [Wan-Bissaka] in some way."
Interestingly, the Gunners do have a right-back who is likely to be up for sale this summer.
And the Daily Star claim Carl Jenkinson is on Palace’s radar, after finding his opportunities limited at the Emirates Stadium.
It's understood that the Eagles aren't interested in a swap deal which would take Zaha to north London, but would they be more open to selling the Ivory Coast international if it meant getting Jenkinson in a separate transfer?
Some Palace fans are against the idea of Jenkinson arriving at Selhurst Park, but Hodgson didn't rule out the prospect of selling Zaha this summer.
"I don't think Arsenal have actually made a bid that has come anywhere near our valuation," he told Sky Sports . I'm sure the player realises that if someone's going to take him, he'll expect clubs to pay the market value.
"Until someone does that, there's not much to discuss."
