Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish can't afford to gamble on Wilfried Zaha's future at Selhurst Park if recent reports are to be believed.

What was the story?

Reports in recent times revealed the Ivory Coast international attracted interest from European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Monaco in the summer.

Zaha, 28, is out of contract in 2023, having signed a new deal to become the club's best-paid player by signing a contract extension, which didn't include a release clause, back in 2018.

The versatile forward wanted to leave Selhurst Park after Palace finished 14th in the table last term, with Roy Hodgson telling reporters that he had made it clear that his future lay elsewhere, but he was eventually forced to stay put.

The stakes have never been higher

Following the news he tested positive for Covid-19, Zaha's absence has been keenly felt following a period of self-isolation after his fine start to the season.

Zaha has almost singlehandedly spearheaded the Palace attack, albeit with Eberechi Eze chipping in here and there, as he has scored five goals and supplied two assists in the Premier League so far this season.

It's these kinds of numbers that make it all the more difficult for him to be ignored, as the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United ensured that Hodgson's side have lost 15 out of the last 17 Premier League games in which the Ivorian has been missing.

As impressive as Eze has been, with a tally of a goal and an assist to his name in the top flight this term, the 22-year-old simply cannot be expected to shoulder the burden of responsibility alone.

Praise has continued to pour in for Zaha from various directions, with former Palace boss Ian Holloway once insisting he would be a "fantastic" signing for London rivals Chelsea, whilst Hodgson himself singled him out for praise after his performance against Fulham, saying: "He’s an excellent player and that’s what he’s capable of doing. If ever I sound mildly critical he thinks I’m picking on him, but every press conference I go to he’s the only player they want to talk to me about!

“He deserves all the praise he’s going to get. He reminds us that when he’s on top of his game he’s a very hard player to stop.”

Hodgson's effusive praise will have left Parish with no room to gamble on the Palace playmaker's future with the winter transfer window set to open in just a few months' time.

Whilst the club are in talks with a number of players over contract extensions, including Christian Benteke, Patrick van Aanholt and Gary Cahill, there seems to be no dialogue with Zaha's representatives, despite interest from abroad.

There's no doubt that this is something that must change very soon, as his importance cannot be underestimated, that's for sure.

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