Transfer Guru shares update on Wilfried Zaha & Crystal Palace return

Crystal Palace are unlikely to pursue a sensational return for Wilfried Zaha despite his struggles since leaving Selhurst Park.

This is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 32-year-old is not currently on their list of targets.

Zaha is still very highly thought of in South London, but his issues both on and off the field since leaving are said to have raised questions behind the scenes.

He left Palace on a free transfer in 2023 to pursue Champions League football with Galatasaray, and is now on loan at Lyon after struggling to adapt in Turkey.

However, since his move to France, he has made just four appearances across all competitions and has been left out of the matchday squad on four occasions.

As a result, the Eagles are having second thoughts about persuading him to return to Selhurst Park and are instead assessing alternative options.

Brown previously told Football Insider that Palace are looking to add depth in the attacking areas in January given their lack of depth following Michael Olise’s exit.

Crystal Palace unlikely to pursue Wilfried Zaha transfer

When asked about a potential return for Zaha in August, Palace chairman Steve Parish told talkSPORT: “I’d have Wilf Zaha back in a heartbeat. He’s part of our club, part of our history as I’ve said countless times...

“Unfortunately it doesn’t look like that’s going to be possible this summer for various reasons. We continue to wish him all the best out there and I’m in contact with him every now and again.“

However, Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top level recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has now insisted that the Eagles are more likely to look elsewhere in the market.

“No, I don’t think that’s one they’ll be pushing for,” he told Football Insider.

“Palace know him better than anybody and he is, of course, very highly thought of there.

“But the way he’s struggled since he went to Galatasaray and now at Lyon has raised a few red flags.

“There’s been things going on behind the scenes which is why he’s been left out of a few of the matchday squads, whether it’s issues in training or whatever the case may be.

“The main issue, for me, is that it’s easy to think they can get a player back who did very well for them.

“But he might not be the same Wilfried Zaha as they had before.

“So I’d expect, if they want to sign an attacker, they’ll be looking elsewhere.

“It’s one that will always be on the cards because of his connection to the club, and these things can happen quickly, but it’s not one they’re looking at right now.”

In other news, Palace are preparing for a busy January transfer window.

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The post Transfer Guru shares update on Wilfried Zaha & Crystal Palace return appeared first on Football Insider.