The summer has been full of twists and turns, but one of the stories of the transfer window could have been Wilfried Zaha’s return to Crystal Palace.
The 31-year-old left Selhurst Park last summer after a second stint with the club which lasted eight years.
Over those two spells, the winger was often the star of the team, making over 450 appearances with 90 goals and 62 assists.
The Ivory Coast international made way to join Galatasaray in search of Champions League football, though he has since dropped down the pecking order.
Crystal Palace were linked with a return for Wilfried Zaha as a result, but it’s one that couldn’t quite materialise.
There is a move on the horizon for the star winger though, which will come as a late shock.
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Wilfried Zaha set for Lyon transfer
So with that switch back to Crystal Palace falling through for Wilfried Zaha, there was uncertainty over whether he could secure a deal elsewhere.
There is, fortunately, some hope of landing a move before the European transfer deadline ticks over.
According to The Athletic, Zaha is closing in on a loan switch to French club Olympique Lyonnais for the season.
It has been labelled a “shock” deal, which is still in the process of having all the final details agreed before completion.
After a difficult start to last season, Lyon are back in the Europa League thanks to a sixth-placed finish in Ligue 1.
There is already a connection between Crystal Palace and Lyon through investor John Textor – who owns the OL Groupe.
Many will be keeping a close eye on Zaha’s progress for the coming season, should the deal be secured before the deadline.
- READ MORE: Crystal Palace confirmed signings, transfer ins and outs, loans and releases for 2024 summer window
Could Wilfried Zaha still return to Crystal Palace one day?
While the dream reunion for a third time couldn’t be secured this summer, there may still be hope that it is merely not postponed and not completely over.
Zaha will have one year left on his deal at Galatasaray by the time he returns from his loan at Lyon next summer.
That may help encourage a move, while Zaha’s tax issues which stopped a move to Crystal Palace may be addressed in the next year.
It remains to be seen whether the winger and club would want that move, with a long time to go between now and that possibility.
