According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are set to sign winger Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace as a free agent.

Despite being 30, Zaha is reportedly seen as an upgrade on Chelsea stars Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech.

“Crystal Palace will try until the end to keep Wilfried Zaha, but yes, I’m told a free transfer is now a serious possibility and the most likely solution. He’d move for an important club, but I think before January nothing will be resolved,” Romano told CaughtOffside.

“I’ve revealed before that Roma showed an interest in him last summer, but we’ll see about 2023. For sure, playing regularly will be a priority for him and his decision.”

Former Rangers striker Ally McCoist has claimed Zaha would walk into the Chelsea starting XI if he leaves Crystal Palace for Chelsea.

Speaking on talkSPORT, McCoist said: “On current form he is walking into the Chelsea team.

“What I would tell him is, ‘Go and follow your heart Wilfried’ – because the one thing he has earned is the respect of all the Palace fans, the respect of football fans up and down the country. I think Wilfried Zaha has absolutely earned his stripes.

“He does not owe anybody anything and he owes himself the opportunity to go and make the right decision, whatever he wants to do,” McCoist added. “If that is to stay at Palace, me, I’d be the same as the Palace fans, I’d be absolutely delighted.

“I think in this day and age there is just something refreshing to see a guy play the vast majority of his career at one club and have an affinity with the support. There’s just something beautiful and refreshing about it. If that was the case I would be thrilled, and I bet [Patrick] Vieira and the Palace fans would be thrilled.

“However, if he decides, ‘I fancy a couple of years abroad’ – good on him. He has earned that opportunity.”