Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha is likely to walk away from Selhurst Park as a free agent next summer and join an 'elite club', according to The Sun journalist Tom Barclay.

Eagles boss Patrick Vieira spent more than £30million on bolstering his squad during the recently closed transfer window, but he has now turned his attentions towards tying Zaha down to a new deal.

GiveMeSport The Verdict

GiveMeSport The Verdict

What's the latest news involving Zaha?

According to The Sun, Palace have upped the ante in their attempts to keep Zaha in south London by putting a new contract on the table.

The report suggests the Eagles have held talks with the 24-cap Ivory Coast international's representatives for more than a year and although fresh terms have been put forward, there is uncertainty over whether he will put pen-to-paper.

That is because Zaha will be able to hold talks with overseas clubs and sign a pre-contract agreement when he enters the final six months of his £130,000-per-week deal, which expires next summer.

It emerged in July that Roma have been considering a move, with the Serie A giants’ boss Jose Mourinho and the hierarchy being admirers of the winger.

Chelsea reportedly contemplated whether to test Palace's resolve during the closing stages of the summer window as well, while transfer insider Dean Jones has revealed that Arsenal are keeping tabs on Zaha's situation.

What has Tom Barclay said about Zaha?

Barclay understands that Palace have offered Zaha a new contract, but he has a hunch that the 29-year-old will snub the proposal and move on at the end of the season.

The journalist believes the wide-man will bolster his chances of joining one of the Premier League's big six by being available as a free agent.

Barclay told GIVEMESPORT: "The noises I've got, not to say that this is what's going to happen, is that the most likely outcome at the moment is that he will leave on a free next summer.

"Obviously, he'd stand to make a lot of money from any move he would make with the signing-on fee and wages.

"Also, being a free transfer, he may finally get that move to an elite club, not to disparage Palace, which he's pushed for many times over the years. That probably seems the most likely outcome at the moment."

Why would Zaha want to leave Palace?

Zaha has found the back of the net 87 times and registered a further 73 assists over the course of two spells with Palace.

But, for all his productivity in the final third of the pitch, the only piece of silverware he has won over the course of his career came during his time on Manchester United's books.

It is understood that Zaha would like the chance to compete in the Champions League and, unless Vieira's side improve drastically, that is unattainable at Palace.