PSG line up SHOCK Messi replacement

Tom Hancock

• Updated: 11 Jun 2023 21:41 BST
• 3 min read

PSG are being linked with a surprise move for Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha to replace the outgoing Lionel Messi.

Messi will officially leave the Ligue 1 champions when his contract expires at the end of this month, and is set to join MLS outfit Inter Miami.

Zaha, 30, is also out of contract this summer, and seems likely to finally depart Palace – where he has spent the majority of his career.

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According to Le Parisien, PSG have already reached out to Zaha about the possibility of switching to the Parc des Princes.

There could be something of a battle to secure the Ivory Coast international’s services, though: Saudi outfit Al-Nassr – who Cristiano Ronaldo joined back in January – are said to be keen on former Manchester United man, with Sky Sports reporting earlier this week that they had made him an offer worth more than €17m a year.

Zaha developed through Palace’s youth system and made well over 100 appearances during his first spell with the South London club – who were then in the Championship – before being signed by Man Utd in January 2013.

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Time for Zaha to make a big move at last?

Things never worked out for Zaha with United, though, and, after loan spells with Cardiff City and back at Palace, he returned to his boyhood club on a permanent basis on deadline day of the 2015 winter transfer window.

He’s remained at Selhurst Park ever since, taking his appearance total for the Eagles to 458 – and his goals tally to 90.

Zaha has regularly been linked with a switch to a top club since his ill-fated stint at Old Trafford, but no transfer has ever been forthcoming.