Wilfried Zaha decision looms as Crystal Palace close in on record transfer agreement

Crystal Palace are increasingly confident that Wilfried Zaha will sign a new contract with the club, LondonWorld understands.

The Ivory Coast international is currently out of contract but has been training at the Eagles’ Copers Cope Road training ground in Beckenham, where he is recovering from a hamstring issue that denied him a chance to properly say goodbye to the fans.

Palace are desperate to keep him and there have been promises behind the scenes of putting up a statue outside Selhurst Park when he eventually hangs up his boots.

Roy Hodgson’s side have offered him £200,000-a-week - an amount unprecedented at the club - and a recent heart-touching mural outside Selhurst signifies his unequalled contribution.

The Premier League club are, however, aware that he has a jaw-dropping offer from Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, who are reportedly offering double what Palace have put on the table.

Italian side Lazio have also showed interest and have Champions League football, something the 30-year-old is said to be keen on having a crack at again before he retires.

PSG have been in touch with Zaha’s people even though any deal will be dependent on some outgoings at the club, while Fenerbahce have moved mountains to bring him to Istanbul, but are yet to get an affirmative response from him.

LondonWorld’s sources at Crystal Palace say the feeling within the club at the moment is that Wilfried is leaning towards staying in south London, even though he wants assurance on the direction of the club, having seen the likes of Brentford Fulham and sworn rivals Brighton at least compete for some form of European football.

Comments from exciting midfielder Eze, who called on him to stay at the club, have also heightened growing belief, with sources saying players are doing their bit to keep him at Selhurst.

Eze told Sky Sports after the preseason game against Crawley Town: “Of course we want him to stay at Selhurst Park.

“You know the quality he’s got as a player. You know, he’s an incredible player and an incredible person. We’ll see what happens.”

Only two other players in Palace’s history have more appearances than his 458: Terry Long (480) and Jim Cannon (660).