Arsenal and Chelsea given major transfer boost as Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish says Wilfried Zaha can leave in January
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CRYSTAL Palace chairman Steve Parish has confirmed he will sell star man Wilfried Zaha in January.
Zaha, 26, also handed in a transfer request in a desperate attempt to force a late move to Everton.
He was subsequently sent home from training and was left out of the starting XI to face the Toffees on the opening day of the season.
Boss Roy Hodgson has integrated him back into his side after admitting there was "beef" between Zaha and Parish.
And now it appears Zaha will start the New Year discussing personal terms with bigger Premier League clubs.
Parish has confirmed the player has earned his move away from Selhurst Park and won't stand in his way - despite slapping a £90million price-tag on him over the summer.
He told the Daily Mail: "I’m sure it has a happy ending for everybody.
"That’s what I want to generate and I’m sure we’ll make that happen.
I certainly wouldn’t want to be the person who stopped that.
Parish on Zaha's ambition to play at the highest level
"We’ve all been young, but the situation was not right for anybody this summer. You think at the time it is, but I wouldn’t put a cap on this kid’s talent.
"I’ve watched him every week for 10 years, he scored the first goal in the first game after we bought the club when he was 16. So there’s even a bit of me that wants to see what he can do at a top club, and I certainly wouldn’t want to be the person who stopped that.
"I feel he deserves to get there, I hope it happens and sometimes it mystifies me he’s not up there already.
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“I don’t know what he’s got to do — run the length of the pitch and beat four players? If people stood in my shoes having to replace him, trying to find someone in world football to do what he does, they would know.
"We’re lucky to have him. But if that top club comes along and the money’s right, he’s an extraordinary talent and it’s going to be very difficult for us.
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"I'm here to do a job and my relationship with Wilfried has always recognised that. I’ve never asked him for a favour, he’s never asked me for one. It’s a professional relationship.
"It was just at that moment we weren’t aligned, but I’ll try to find a solution from here.
"Aaron Wan-Bissaka went to Manchester United, so if top clubs come in for our players with the right money, then it’s a timing issue.
"We have to make a plan for the evolution of our squad. Wilfried won’t be here forever, and we must be ready for him to go, if he does go. The last day of the transfer window, however, is not going to be it."
