Wilfried Zaha will not play for Crystal Palace this season, says Steve Parish

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has stated that he would like to have Wilfried Zaha back at Selhurst Park this season. However, a deal for the winger is not yet possible, a year after the player left the London club.

The 31-year-old left Crystal Palace last summer after his contract expired, seeking a new challenge and moving to Turkey to play for Galatasaray.

The Turkish club’s director of football affairs, Cenk Ergun, recently indicated that Zaha, despite his contract until 2026, already wants to leave. The winger is hoping for a return to the Premier League.

There were rumours that the Crystal Palace legend was returning to south London after Zaha was absent from Galatasaray’s 2-1 win over Hatayspor last weekend, but a deal is unlikely.

The Athletic reported this week that the tax implications of a move from Turkey are likely to scupper the Ivory Coast international’s chances of returning to the Premier League this summer, despite Galatasaray being open to the idea.

This complicates the winger’s future and Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish is aware of this, admitting that Zaha will not return to the Eagles before the transfer window closes.

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Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish comments on Wilfried Zaha’s future

Speaking on talkSPORT, Parish said via WearePalace: “I would love to have Wilf Zaha back. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be possible this summer.”

This news is unlikely to upset Palace fans, as the club are looking to improve under Oliver Glasner. The Eagles currently have a very exciting trio of attackers in Mateta, Eze and Kamada; therefore, there is no longer a need for the 31-year-old in south London.

Zaha will always be a legend at the Eagles, but that chapter has now closed.