Patrick Vieira on Wilfried Zaha’s Crystal Palace contract situation

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is unsure whether contract talks with Wilfried Zaha will drag on until the end of the season.

The Ivorian is entering the final months of the five-year deal he signed in 2018.

Zaha is Palace’s record goalscorer and appearance holder in the club’s Premier League history.

The 30-year-old recorded his 450th appearance for the Eagles in the 0-0 draw with Newcastle United.

Zaha has missed the last two outings in the league after he was forced off with a hamstring injury during the goalless draw with the Magpies.

Palace academy graduate Zaha has scored six goals and picked up two assists this season.

“I honestly haven’t spoken with Wilfried about it,” said Vieira, providing an update on Zaha’s future.

“Wilfried knows really well what the football club thinks about him and what we want to do.

“Then, it’s in his hands – he has to make his decision. We have to wait and see what he wants to do. He knows where we stand and where I stand as a manager.

“We will be delighted and really happy if he keeps on this journey with this football club where he has been playing for a long time.”

Zaha has been free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any side outside of the Premier League since January 1.

When asked whether he believed talks would drag on until the end of the season, Vieira said: “I don’t know, but that doesn’t have an impact on him and his everyday work around the team.

“That doesn’t have an impact on his mind.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD