Palace hopes of keeping Zaha ‘fading’

Crystal Palace fear their hopes of keeping Wilfried Zaha are fading with the forward having failed to agree a new deal at the club.

Zaha is out of contract at the end of the season and will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign sides from January. Palace have verbally offered the 29-year-old a new and improved deal, one which would make the Ivory Coast international the highest-paid player in the club’s history.

Negotiations are ongoing, but the Mail are reporting that the Eagles fear their hopes of retaining Zaha are fading as the New Year approaches with no agreement in place.

Palace have fended off interest in Zaha since re-signing the forward on a permanent deal in 2015, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Everton and Manchester United having previously shown interest in his services.

Zaha came through the academy ranks at Palace before signing for Manchester United as a teenager, but returned to the club after making just two starts for the Red Devils and has retained hope of a second chance at an elite side.

He scored 14 league goals during a career-best campaign in 2021/22 and has five goals from 11 appearances for Palace so far this season. His availability on a free transfer would improve his appeal, despite his 30th birthday approaching next week.

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