Wilfried Zaha is emerging as a transfer target for MLS clubs, Mail Sport understands.
The career of the former Crystal Palace hero, who is contracted to Turkish side Galatasaray, is in limbo following a loan move to Lyon early on if the season has failed to gain momentum.
The winger has only made one start for the Ligue 1 club since his arrival in August and several Premier League teams have been alerted to his possible availability.
He was spotted back at Selhurst Park last week for his former club's clash against Arsenal, sparking talk of a possible return to south London in January, particularly considering the Eagles were interested in re-signing Zaha on loan during the summer window.
However, any return to the Premier League looks likely to be blocked by FIFA bureaucracy.
While world football's governing body's regulations state that players can register with three clubs during a season, they are only allowed to play for two clubs during the relevant campaign.
Wilfried Zaha is emerging as a transfer target for MLS clubs, Mail Sport understands
Zaha is in limbo after a loan to Lyon that has so far failed to gain momentum
The former Crystal Palace star was spotted watching his former side at Selhurst Park last week.
'Players may be registered with a maximum of three clubs during a season. During this period, a player can only play official matches for two clubs,” reads section 5.4 of the FIFA rules.
With that in mind, given Zaha came on as a late substitute in Galatasaray's Turkish Super Cup defeat to Besiktas in August and has played six times for Lyon this season, the winger appears to be banned from playing for another team this season. season.
However, there is an exception that would allow Zaha to play for three clubs in one season under FIFA statute.
A player may play for a third team during the season in question if he moves between clubs belonging to intersecting national leagues.
Rule 5.4 continues: 'As an exception to this rule, a player who moves between two clubs belonging to associations with overlapping seasons (i.e. season start in summer/autumn instead of winter/spring) may be eligible to play. in official matches for a third club during the season in question, provided that they have fully fulfilled their contractual obligations with their previous clubs and provided that the provisions regarding registration deadlines and the minimum duration of the contract are respected.
In light of that rule, the fact that the MLS season runs from February to October opens the door for Zaha to join a club in the top league in the United States.
In fact, Mail Sport has learned that several teams on the other side of the Atlantic are seriously considering the possibility of signing Zaha.
With Zaha having fallen out of favor at Galatasaray, it seems likely that the Turkish club will not stand in the 32-year-old's way if he decides to move to America, provided an agreement can be reached on his £3 annual salary. .75 million.
The former Crystal Palace star has fallen out of favor with parent club Galatasaray
Turkish giants likely to stand in the side's way
MLS has become famous for attracting the best players from European leagues who are reaching the twilight of their careers.
Zaha will turn 33 in November and may consider this period of her career as the right time to move to the United States.
The attacker's move to Istanbul in the summer of 2023 allowed him to fulfill his lifelong ambition of playing in the Champions League.
The Ivory Coast international, who became Sir Alex Ferguson's latest signing for Manchester United, made seven appearances in the competition last season and even scored at Old Trafford in Galatasaray's 3-2 victory over his former club. club.
However, Zaha's move to Istanbul has not gone as planned and he could face a new challenge outside of Europe.
Saka's injury concerns
Arsenal feared Bukayo Saka's hamstring had detached from the bone when he suffered the injury against Crystal Palace last week.
Saka limped off in obvious discomfort during the 5-1 win at Selhurst Park, and Mail Sport reported earlier this week that the winger will miss around two months.
Arsenal feared Bukayo Saka's hamstring had detached from the bone after suffering the injury against Crystal Palace
An injury of this type usually requires surgery and recovery can take up to six months.
Under typical circumstances, doctors generally wait until the day after an injury is sustained before sending players for initial exams.
However, it is understood that the Gunners were so concerned about the extent of Saka's injury that they sent him for a scan on Saturday night to determine whether his hamstring had detached from the bone, as Saka complained of significant pain, illustrated by the fact that the 23-year-old left Selhurst Park on crutches.
Such an injury, known as a hamstring avulsion, usually requires surgery and can take up to six months to recover from.
Ashworth Replacement
Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada has begun the process to determine whether the club will replace Dan Ashworth.
Sporting director Ashworth left Old Trafford earlier this month, just five months after his arduous arrival from Newcastle was confirmed.
Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox will take on most of Ashworth's responsibilities while a decision is made on whether to replace the respected executive.
And Mail Sport has learned that Berrada has begun considering the mandate of any new executive appointment given the club is not expected to opt for another sporting director.
Manchester United have started the process to determine whether they will replace Dan Ashworth.
Silva's future in doubt
Bernardo Silva will be one of the Manchester City stars whose future will come under the microscope at the end of the season.
City's squad is expected to renew itself after a disappointing season so far.
And Portuguese striker Silva is among the players whose position in Pep Guardiola's plans is unclear ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Silva has been an integral member of a City team that has dominated domestically and helped City to their first Champions League triumph in 2023.
However, the 30-year-old was linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium over the previous two summers but remained at the club and sources claimed City were open to offers for their brilliant midfielder.
Indeed, Silva will enter the final 12 months of his contract in the summer and will likely once again attract the attention of Europe's top clubs.
Bernardo Silva's future at Manchester City will be assessed at the end of the 2024-25 season
Baxter at Sportsbank
Mail Sport can reveal two more leading figures behind Sportsbank, the investment vehicle set to take control of John Textor's shares in Crystal Palace as a former Liverpool communications executive and director of real estate and urban regeneration.
The group is on track to buy Eagle Football Holdings, the company owned by Textor that owns a 45% stake in the Eagles.
We have already revealed two key members at the helm of Sportsbank's proposed £230m deal: south London businessman Zechariah Janjua and Navshir Jaffer.
And it can now be revealed that Matthew Baxter, a communications expert who used to work at Anfield, has a key role at Sportsbank.
Baxter is a lifelong Palace fan, whose grandparents lived near Selhurst Park.
Javaid Bhatti, group investment director, is also a senior member. Bhatti has been a Palace fan for 56 years and grew up on Whitehorse Lane, a stone's throw from the stadium.
Sheffield United's new owner will meet manager Chris Wilder (pictured) later this week.
Blades bosses to meet Wilder
Sheffield United's new owner will meet manager Chris Wilder and other key members of staff this week.
US consortium COH Sports officially completed its takeover of the Bramall Lane side on Monday, with representatives attending today's top-of-the-table clash against Burnley.
And it is understood the new owners will hold talks with Wilder over the next 48 hours as they familiarize themselves with their acquisition.
The Blades currently sit top of the Championship table.
Makelele's return
Chelsea icon Claude Makelele was back chatting in football circles in Doha last week as he plans to return to work.
The former French international was among those attending a star-studded function organized by Qatar World Cup organizers for last week's Intercontinental Cup between Real Madrid and Pachuca.
Makelele left his position as head coach of Greek side Asteras Tripolis after less than a month on the job in October.
David Dein was also one of the notable names on the guest list.
Chelsea icon Claude Makelele was back chatting in football circles in Doha last week as he plans to return to work (pictured: Makelele at Euro 2024 this summer)
Eagles transfer targets are watching
Crystal Palace are among the clubs interested in Slavia Prague left-back El Hadji Malik Diouf.
Coach Oliver Glasner has placed a new left defender to compete with Tyrick Mitchell at the top of his January shopping list.
Diouf is only 19 years old and has already made his senior debut with Senegal. Palace are set to accelerate their interest in Malick Diouf when the market reopens on January 1.
Palace are also looking for an attacker next month. Lyon's Rayan Cherki is of interest but the French attacker is understood to have several options.