Crystal Palace and West Ham sent update in pursuit of 68-goal ex Premier League marksman
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The former Premier League forward had been tipped to make a return to the top flight one year after heading to Turkey.
Crystal Palace and West Ham have been linked with transfer interest in Galatasaray winger Wilfried Zaha this summer but any late move for the former Eagles man has been ruled out as Deadline Day looms large.
The 31-year-old has fallen out of favour in Turkey and had been linked with a move to Leicester City as well as the London clubs in what would have been a somewhat surprising return to the Premier League just 12 months after leaving Selhurst Park.
The Hammers were said to be close to signing Zaha for a 'nominal fee' earlier this summer as Julen Lopetegui looked for attacking additions for his squad. Since then, the Hammers have brought in Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville and striker Niclas Füllkrug from Borussia Dortmund.
The Telegraph then reported that a loan deal to Crystal Palace could be a possibility but that the South London club could have to fork out a touted £9 million loan fee to cover a portion of the forward's loft salary. Palace chairman Steve Parish had added that he would re-sign the forward 'in a heartbreat' but that it looked too complicated a deal to pull off.
The Evening Standard now confirms that is the case. If Zaha moved to play in the Premier League on loan, he would have to pay income tax in both the UK and the Turkey, which is believed to have killed any hopes of a return to the UK this season.
Zaha is a proven Premier League goalscorer with 68 top flight goals to his name. He has made 450 appearances for Crystal Palace over his career, being named the side's Player of the Year in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Speaking when leaving the club last summer, the player said: "As I start a new chapter I want to speak to you Palace fans who mean so much to me.
"We have been through so much together, including 10 years in the Prem. There are loads of amazing memories that will stay in my head forever and also some really tough times along the way, but I'm so proud to have played my part in getting us to the Prem and helping to keep us there.
"I've been wearing the Palace shirt since I was eight years old, it's literally been my second skin and I always gave EVERYTHING when I wore it.”