Crystal Palace fans’ worst fears could come to fruition if this journalist’s claims are true…

 What’s the word?

According to transfer insider Dean Jones, Wilfried Zaha could be tempted to join Premier League giants Chelsea, who have shown an interest.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: “Chelsea tried to sign him under the previous ownership and Zaha would welcome a move like this.

“I think it would be exciting to see Sterling and him in the same attack, and I think there are ways Tuchel could get that to open up.”

Vieira would be gutted

Zaha has been a cult hero at Selhurst Park, ever since his youthful heroics helped them return to the Premier League back in 2013. Even after his switch to Manchester United and subsequent return, there has been no love lost.

He is their talisman and has seen potential moves to far bigger clubs beaten away in order to stay and keep Palace in the division.

It will therefore be particularly heart-breaking for Patrick Vieira should the Ivory Coast international choose to leave, as he just seems to be building a team with real promise.

Zaha was comfortably their top scorer again in all competitions last season, bagging 15 times. The closest, with eight, was the departing Conor Gallagher.

If Palace were to lose both of their top scorers, perhaps the bleak prediction of relegation that they faced last summer would quickly become a reality, unless the young talent that Vieira has acquired can make the step up.

Not only would they lose the £130k-per-week magician’s current goals, but the loss of one of the club’s greatest ever players will surely have a hugely detrimental effect on the squad too. He is their top scorer in Premier League history, and this holds massive weight.

Also, his average SofaScore rating of 6.98 marked him out as the Eagles’ third-best performer last season, further outlining how big a miss he would be.

Not only would losing their main man be a huge blow but to a London rival would add insult to injury.

Vieira should be gutted at the prospect and will likely be begging the hierarchy at his club to do all they can to prevent it.

AND, in other news: Vieira could form a “wonderful” CPFC duo with late swoop for “electric” £112k-p/w star.