Palace hope Zaha suitors are put off by long deal

CRYSTAL PALACE will be in a strong negotiating position if clubs bid for Wilfried Zaha this summer after it was revealed the winger still has four years to run on his contract.

Palace are braced for interest in Zaha (below) but they want to keep the 24-year-old at Selhurst Park and are preparing to open talks with him over a new deal.

It was thought Zaha was under contract until 2020, but Palace chairman Steve Parish has revealed the Ivory Coast international signed an extension last summer.

That was not made public by Palace at the time but Parish said: “He has got four years left to run on his contract.”

Palace are planning to open discussions with Zaha over a new contract as soon as the club is mathematically safe from relegation.

Eagles manager Sam Allardyce and Parish have said they want Zaha to stay and a new contract could bring him in line with the top earner at Palace on around £100,000-a-week.

Tottenham had a bid for Zaha rejected last summer and Manchester City have been linked with a move for the in-form player but Palace hope a new contract will fend off any interest in him.

“I have no reason to believe he will not be here next season,” said Parish. “Everyone wants Wilfried to stay. I want him to stay. He says he wants to stay.”

Palace are six points above the bottom three after their 2-0 home defeat to Burnley on Saturday. They could secure safety with a win at Manchester City on Saturday.