Patrick van Aanholt is set to leave Crystal Palace when his contract this summer after four-and-a-half years with the club.

What's the talk?

According to The Athletic, the 30-year-old full-back is set to be released by the Eagles as they embark on a mass clearout of their first-team squad.

The Dutch international is one of 17 players approaching the end of their existing deals at Selhurst Park, and with manager Roy Hodgson also announcing his imminent departure, it could be a totally different-looking Palace side that lines up at the start of the 2021/22 campaign.

Steve Parish is making a mistake

It's set to be a summer of upheaval at Selhurst Park, but getting rid of one of your best defenders doesn't make much sense.

Van Aanvolt has made 21 Premier League appearances for the south London side this season, recording 1.4 interceptions per game, the second-highest total in the Palace squad, and 1.1 defensive dribbles per game, the third-highest total in the Palace squad.

While the capital club certainly needs to freshen up their options along the backline, as well as in midfield and attack, the exit of their most accomplished left-back could be a decision they come to regret.

Young academy graduate Tyrick Mitchell has performed admirably after coming into the starting XI in recent weeks, but at just 21, still has a lot of development to do to be able to cope with top-flight attackers week in week out.

Learning under the guidance of an experienced campaigner who has over 200 Premier League appearances to his name for another couple of seasons could have been the perfect way for Mitchell to develop and hone his craft.

The likes of James McArthur, Christian Benteke and Andros Townsend could yet follow the former Sunderland man out of the Palace exit door, however, Van Aanholt's absence could well be felt the strongest next season, all in order to save on his £55,000-per-week wages, Steve Parish may regret letting him go.

And, in other news...Palace must secure a deal with ‘colossal’ powerhouse, Eagles fans would love it – opinion