According to The Sun, AC Milan are interested in making a move to sign Crystal Palace versatile forward Wilfried Zaha.

What's the word?

The Ivory Coast international is enjoying a prolific spell at Selhurst Park this season, having scored eight goals in just 14 games across all competitions, via Transfermarkt.

It's perhaps hardly surprising other sides have been closely monitoring the situation, and The Sun claim that Serie A giants AC Milan want to sign Zaha in January as they are chasing their first title in ten years.

The report adds Stefano Pioli's side see Zaha as 'the missing piece of the puzzle,' with the Rossoneri eager to bolster their arsenal as they bid to stop Juventus from winning their tenth title in a row.

Keep Zaha at all costs

There's no denying that the loss of Zaha would be a colossal blow for Roy Hodgson at any time, let alone halfway through the season.

In fact, it's fair to say that the 28-year-old been an integral part of Hodgson's side - he scored four goals and supplied five assists in 38 appearances last season - and has fully embraced the challenge of playing in a more central role.

He continues to be one of Palace's top performers on a consistent basis and is a large part of the reason why the Eagles are still in the Premier League.

It's no wonder that other managers like Mikel Arteta have swooned over the "terrific" talent, with the Arsenal boss even going so far as to say: “I think he’s a terrific player and I think the impact he’s had in the Premier League in the last few years has been phenomenal. His ability to create chances on his own is unique.”

Palace find themselves a point adrift of newly-promoted Leeds United, as they currently lie 13th in the table, although Marcelo Bielsa's side have a game in-hand over the Eagles.

One thing's for sure, selling Zaha should be out of the question and completely off the table if Hodgson is to have any hope of rescuing what has been a rather difficult season so far.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke badly let Roy Hodgson down against Leicester City...