Ian Holloway: 'Wilfried Zaha must return'

Ian Holloway has insisted that Wilfried Zaha will only be allowed to agree a transfer this month if the deal includes a loan return to Crystal Palace for the remainder of the season.

Manchester United are thought to be the favourites to sign the England international, although both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are said to be keen on the 20-year-old's services.

However, Holloway is adamant that the attacker will only depart Selhurst Park on his terms.

"Wilfried Zaha is wanted by some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League," Holloway wrote in his Sunday Mirror column. "And THAT, in the football silly season that everyone else calls January, is the problem. The need for confidentiality makes it impossible to reveal who is interested in Wilfried and who has made a bid.

"But the constant buzz of speculation is difficult to cope with. It is a great tribute to Wilf himself that he has been able to hang on to his sanity.

"He had a little dip in form when the transfer talk started to get louder last month, but he has since shown that class is permanent.

"I felt it necessary to have a chat with Wilfried this week about what might happen and what definitely won't be happening. Even if we do reach an agreement with a club, it would have to include a clause that Zaha stays put for the rest of the season."

Zaha made his England debut earlier this season against Sweden.