Surprise star watches Arsenal demolish Crystal Palace to confirm January transfer

Arsenal demolished Crystal Palace 5-1 in the Premier League on Saturday, but there was one surprising face watching on at Selhurst Park in a move that was a public admission that he’s on the transfer market in January.

Former Manchester United and Palace winger Wilfried Zaha was spotted in the crowd, with the Ivory Coast international now very definitely up for sale from Ligue 1 side Lyon – whose Coupe de France match against SC Feignies was raging at the same time.

Zaha was signed on loan by OL during the summer from Galatasaray yet he has not made any type of positive impression during his stint in the Rhone Valley.

He has made only seven appearances for Pierre Sage’s side with just one start and a total of 127 minutes played.

STATS

Wilfried Zaha

F, M (L)

Lyon

Wilfried Zaha

F, M (L)

Lyon

All Tournaments

2024/25

• 7

  Games

• 0

  Goals

• 1

  Assists

View all stats

More often than not in recent weeks, he has not even been stripped for Lyon’s matches, and if there was any way back for the 32-year-old, he would surely have been involved in their clash against Feignies on Saturday – a game in which numerous fringe players were used.

Zaha’s appearance at Selhurst Park was, therefore, effectively an admission that he is on the transfer market in January.

Zaha back to Palace?

Interestingly, Lyon are owned by John Textor, who also owns a significant share in Crystal Palace, which might have been seen as a potential destination for the winger should his stay in France be cut short – as looks increasingly possible.

Zaha knew his best years as a player at Palace and notably grabbed double figures in Premier League goals three times in four seasons between 2018/19 and 2021/22.

In his single season with Galatasaray, he netted nine Super Lig goals in 30 appearances, though it appears his time in Turkey is up following his switch to Lyon.